Vitamin D Receptor Polymorphisms and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Risk

The purpose of this study is to discover whether certain Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms are associated with an increased risk of cutaneous basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and/or cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in an Alabama population. Participant demographic information such as physical characteristics (e.g., ethnicity), family history, and cancer diagnosis will be collected in order to determine if there are relationships between the gene polymorphisms, cancer diagnosis, and these characteristics.

The purpose of this study is to discover whether certain Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms are associated with an increased risk of cutaneous basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and/or cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in an Alabama population. Participant demographic information such as physical characteristics (e.g., ethnicity), family history, and cancer diagnosis will be collected in order to determine if there are relationships between the gene polymorphisms, cancer diagnosis, and these characteristics. By identifying the VDR polymorphisms for the Apa1, Taq1, Bsm1, and Fok1 genes within the participant population and comparing the genotypes to controls, the investigators hope to demonstrate which gene polymorphisms indicate an increased risk for SCC or BCC. Inclusion- patients with a non-melanoma skin cancer. Participants must be 50 years old or older. Controls- patients without non-melanoma skin cancer and who have no family history of skin cancer. They must also be 50 years old or older; Inclusion for both groups- English speakers and patients at the Kirklin Clinic during the months of our data collection. Exclusion criteria will be patients younger than 50 years old or who have a diagnosis of melanoma or other type of cancer, or who are non-English speakers.