The FAMMM Syndrome: Epidemiology and Surveillance Strategies

Abstract

Research into the epidemiology of the melanoma-prone FAMMM syndrome, molecular genetics of the occurrences of melanoma, the photobiology of DNA damage/ repair, diagnostic epiluminescence, microscopic/imaging techniques, and a new concept of photoprotection have altered melanoma strategies in surveillance and prevention. Molecular genetic research has implicated the importance of hereditary aspects of melanoma and associated malignancies. High-risk pedigrees can be identified through an informatic analysis of the occurrence patterns of melanoma and systemic cancers in kindreds. All ultraviolet radiation results in cutaneous DNA damage and in high-risk individuals may cause melanoma. We may reverse the epidemic trend in melanoma occurrences in these high-risk pedigrees if we are willing to change our cultural approach to sunlight exposure with restrictive sunlight behavior, wearing of ultraviolet protective clothes, the use of broad-spectrum ultraviolet protection from nightly topical dihydroxyiacetone coupled with daytime UVB sunscreens, and periodic surveillance.