The FAMMM syndrome: Epidemiology and surveillance strategies

Research into the epidemiology of the melanoma-prone FAMMM syndrome, molecu lar 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 surveill ance and prevention. Molecular genetic research has implicated the importan ce of hereditary aspects of melanoma and associated malignancies. High-risk pedigrees can be identified through an informatic analysis of the occurren ce patterns of melanoma and systemic cancers in kindreds. All ultraviolet r adiation results in cutaneous DNA damage and in high-risk individuals may c ause melanoma. We may reverse the epidemic trend in melanoma occurrences in these high-risk pedigrees if we are willing to change our cultural approac h to sunlight exposure with restrictive sunlight behavior, wearing of ultra violet protective clothes, the use of broad spectrum ultraviolet protection from nightly topical dihydroxyacetone coupled with daytime UVB sunscreens, and periodic surveillance.