Melanoma Awareness Month

May is melanoma awareness month. While melanoma is rare in comparison to other skin cancers, it can be the most dangerous.

Who is most at risk?

People exposed to UV rays (sunlight, tanning beds) can be at risk. Remember, UV rays damage the genes inside our skin cells and then skin cancer can occur. Individuals with moles can also be at an increased risk of developing melanoma. If you have lighter hair, skin, or develop freckles you may be at an increased risk. Family history can be a deciding factor. If you have a family history of melanoma you could be at risk (around 10% of individuals with melanoma have a family history of the skin cancer). The increased risk could be from genetics, shared lifestyle, or similar tendencies. If you have a personal history of melanoma, it is important to stay vigilant in getting your skin checked as you are at a risk of reoccurrence. While Melanoma occurs often in aging demographics it is not uncommon for individuals of younger age groups (think younger than 30) to occur. In America, women have a higher rate of being diagnosed with Melanoma before age 50 while male have a higher rate of being diagnosed after turning 50.

How is melanoma diagnosed?

A licensed dermatologist can use visual findings as well as biopsy results to determine a melanoma diagnosis. If a spot has changed in size, chape, or color, or is non-healing it is worth having your dermatology check it out.

Remember the ABCDE rule for skin:

• A is for Asymmetry– One half of a mole or birthmark doesn’t match the other.
• B is for Border– edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred.
• C is for Color– color is not the same all over and may include different shades of brown or black, sometimes with patches of pink, red, white, or blue.
• D is for Diameter– spot is larger than 6 millimeters across (about ¼ inch – the size of a pencil eraser); melanomas can sometimes be smaller than this.
• E is for Evolving– mole is changing in size, shape, or color.

Once diagnosed, your dermatologist will set up a time to remove the melanoma (there are various stages of the disease and treatment plans depended on how the cancer is confined and if it has spread- the cancer can be localized, regional, and distant with distant being the most dangerous and even fatal). Your dermatologist will come up with an individualized care plan for you and your skin cancer recovery,

Where can melanoma occur?

Potentially, melanoma could occur anywhere but it is common to find it on body parts like the trunk area. It can also be found on facial parts, bottoms of feet, and even under fingernails. Again, there is great important in getting annual skin exams done by your trusted dermatologist.

Can melanoma be prevented?

It’s worth a try! Avoid using tanning beds and when out in the sun seek shade and SPF. For sunscreen protection consider a mineral sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30. Pack a hat or sunglasses for hot and sunny days. Keep an eye on moles that appear abnormal or begin to change appearance.

Monitor your skin regularly and don’t forget to schedule your annual skin exam with your dermatologist to rule out any potential abnormalities.

(Sources from this blog and for more information and resources on melanoma and other skin cancers can be found here: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/skin-cancer.html )