A recent study from Cleveland Clinic indicates that melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, is not only caused by environmental factors, but also genetics.

According to the study's lead author, Dr. Pauline Funchan, one in six people who have melanoma and other cancers running in their family have a hereditary predisposition to melanoma, along with other cancers.

Based on the results of the study, Dr. Funchan urges anyone who has been diagnosed with melanoma to get genetic testing done. This could determine whether or not you're at risk for other cancers and help doctors develop a prevention plan.

In a situation where one person does not have melanoma, but their family member does, the family member with melanoma is advised to take genetic testing first. 

Dr. Funchan says this is so doctors know what gene to look for, and from there, other family members can look to see if they carry that gene.

"If they don't currently have melanoma, but let's say a family member has unfortunately passed from melanoma, there are testing options in that case when you aren't able to test the person who has the cancer," Funchan said.

Dr. Funchan says research is far from over and that she plans on looking further into genetic factors that cause melanoma.