Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. It is comparatively less common in the United States, but it is one of the serious types of skin cancers. It can result in a life threatening condition if it metastasizes to other parts of the body. In the recent years, the frequency with which its occurrence is seen in United States is alarming. In Melanoma, the color-producing cells of the skin are affected and they start in an existing mole or occur as a new mole. If the condition is diagnosed early, then by proper treatment, it can be completely cured. If the disease takes on a severe form, then the prognosis is poor. In advanced stages, it can spread to lymph nodes and other organs of the body, such as lungs, liver and brain.
Who’s At Risk:
Certain factor increases the risk of developing melanoma in a person. They are as follows:
- If there have been cases of melanoma in your family then the risk of the occurrence of melanoma increases ten times.
- The occurrence of melanoma is seen to occur most in whites. About 1 in 50 whites, 1 in 200 Hispanics and 1 in 1000 blacks risk being affected by it.
- If you have a large number of unusual moles in your body, then it’s better to consult your doctor.
- If you have had long cases of sun exposure and have a history of sun burns, then you fall in the susceptible group.
- Those with a decreased immune system like people who have had organ transplant or are suffering from HIV/AIDS, may also develop melanoma at some stage.
Melanoma can occur at any age but, mostly it is diagnosed in the middle age.
Signs and Symptoms:
The areas of the skin which are exposed to the sun most are more prone to this skin condition. They can occur anywhere in the body such as eye, mouth and the genital areas. In men, melanoma usually occurs on the head, neck and trunk. In women, they are commonly seen to occur on the legs and arms. A simple technique can help you identify melanoma. It is called the ABCDE checklist. A for asymmetry: The two sides of a mole are not symmetrical B for Border: The mole’s border is irregular. C for Color: The moles are of different colors like brown, black, red, blue, and white. D for Diameter: The size of the mole is more than 6 mm (1/4 inch). E for Evolving: There are changes in the mole over time.
Self-Care Guidelines:
It is very important to avoid sun exposure in order to minimize the chances of occurrence of melanoma. Avoid the sun during the peak hours, wear protective clothing, and apply high SPF sunscreen when going out in sun. Conduct self-examination every month and inspect any changes you find in your body. Take note of any new moles, freckles and other marks on the body and take more of any changes.
When to Seek Medical Care:
Use the ABCDE checklist as a reference and identify the signs of melanoma in the early stages. If you suspect any changes in the body that fits the description of melanoma signs, consult your immediately and get your skin checked thoroughly. In order to diagnose your condition, your doctor will carry out a skin biopsy. It is done to find out the stage of melanoma. Depending on the condition of melanoma, your doctor will prescribe you appropriate treatment which may include surgical treatment or various types of immunotherapy. A person who is treated for melanoma is at an increased risk of developing it again in the first 3 years of diagnosis.