A recent study from France published in the Journal of the American Medical Association looked at risk factors that should lead to genetic testing for the high risk melanoma gene. Their conclusion was that testing was merited in patients with any 3 of the following:

  • A melanoma under the age of 40 years old.
  • Two cutaneous melanomas or a related malignancy (eg. pancreatic cancer)
  • A first-degree relatives with two cutaneous melanomas or related tumor.
  • A second-degree relatives with two cutaneous melanomas or related tumor.

So it seems that for the vast majority of melanoma patient this type of genetic testing may not be indicated.

Link to Abstract: