New scientific findings pointed to the likelihood that genes play a crucial role in the actual development of melanoma and up to one percent of the general Australian population are at risk, the study said.

In a research report issued on Monday by science journal Nature, Australian investigators suggested that having skin cancer could be dictated by genes, specifically a mutated version of genes they call MITF.

That particular gene, according to lead researcher Graham Mann, would be normally dominant on individuals with a known history of melanoma on their families, with one specific give away - abnormal number of skin moles.

Leading a team of researchers from the University of Sydney's Westmead Millennium Institute for Medical Research and the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Mann and his cohorts employed advanced DNA sequencing to sift through genomes from sample persons who have been previously attributed with cases of melanoma afflicting family members.

According to News.com.au, Mann's team pinpointed the mechanism of MITF mutation and how faulty genes conspire in possibly triggering the onset of melanoma, highlighting the role of MITF in arresting the growth of melanocyte during exposure under the sun.

Mixing up with gene anomalies, the whole recipe, according to the study, makes for a higher incidence of melanoma, no thanks to a more sensitive skin for these specific individuals as Mann noted that the case is actually prevalent on some 200,000 Australians.

"We think that some people happen to have picked up several different melanoma risk genes compared to other people ... and we think a lot of families which have more melanoma than average are basically clusters where these genetic risks are coming together," Mann was quoted by the news site as saying on the report.

Mann added that efforts are underway to discover more cases of gene mutations that he said could limit incidence of melanoma in the future as resulting measures could lead breakthrough drugs against skin cancer.

Better yet, the Aussie scientist stressed, that identification of gene mutations that can be attached with melanoma development should prompt regular skin cancer screenings, especially for those who are at high risk owing to their family history.

Hopefully, when that happens, Mann hopes that it "would lead to a lot less melanomas."