I’ve always been a bit of an extremist. So, when I learned that skin cancer runs in my mom’s family, I started seeing a dermatologist immediately. And I was vigilant about it, too. I’d literally take off all my clothes and make the doctor look everywhere during my annual exams. It was almost awkward.

I also became the “mean” mom — the one who makes everyone else’s kid wear a hat and sunscreen while they’re playing outside....