Most people think of moles either as unique beauty marks or embarrassing blemishes, but what many don’t realize is that some moles can develop a dangerous form of skin cancer called melanoma. In order to protect yourself from this skin cancer, you need to know what melanoma is and how you can protect yourself from it.
Did you know that melanoma is the fastest spreading and deadliest form of skin cancer? It’s also the most common form of cancer among young people from 25 to 29 years old.1 According to the National Cancer Institute, in 2011 about 70,230 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed and 8,790 people will die from the disease.2
Melanoma originates in cells called melanocytes which are found in the epidermis, eye, and inner ear. These special cells make melanin which gives your hair, skin, and eyes their natural color. Melanin is also what tans your skin when you are exposed to the sun.3
Melanoma occurs when melanocytes start splitting uncontrollably and destroying the surrounding cells. These cancerous cells then form a tumor. Melanoma can form in the eye but is more commonly found in the epidermis.4 Melanomas typically take the form of unusual moles, known in the medical field as dysplastic nevi. So even though going to the doctor over an odd mole may seem trivial, it’s actually a potentially serious medical condition.
Risk Factors
Scientists and doctors have not identified all of the causes of melanoma, and so anyone can get the disease. But there are several risk factors which increase your likelihood of contracting the cancer. The most common risk factors include the following:5
- Fair skin which easily burns
- A weak immune system
- A history of severe sunburns and sun blisters
- Extended periods of time in the sun or tanning beds
- A large number of moles
- A family history of melanoma
If you have one or more of these traits, you need to discuss your risk factors with your doctor and begin taking measures to prevent melanoma.
Preventing and Detecting Melanoma
The good news is most melanoma cases are preventable. One of the best ways to reduce your risk of melanoma is to protect your skin from the sun. Studies have shown that overexposure to UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds significantly increases your chances of getting melanoma.6 So avoid both artificial and natural tanning. Also, limit your time in the sun between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm, when the sun’s UV radiation is strongest. When you are out in the sun, wear protective clothing and use a broad spectrum, water resistant sun screen with an SPF of at least 30.
Even if you follow these precautions, you still need to check your skin for signs of melanoma on a regular basis because early detection could be the difference between life and death. Your chances of survival are almost 100 percent if melanoma is found at an early stage.7 But if untreated melanoma can spread to other parts of the body through your tissue, lymph nodes, or blood.
That is why it’s important to frequently check your skin for abnormal moles and other skin growths. Begin with the head and work your way down to your feet, checking everything including nails, palms, genitals, and, with someone else’s help, your scalp. It is also a good rule of thumb to have your skin examined by a doctor when you go in for your annual checkup.
Be mindful of how your moles look and where they are located. Potentially cancerous moles tend to have one or more of the following characteristics:
- One half of the mole is significantly different from the other half.
- The edges of the mole are uneven and sprawling.
- The mole is darker than other moles or has varying shades of brown or black.
- Although melanomas can be small, they are commonly larger than a pencil eraser in diameter.
- Melanoma moles tend to change in form, size, or pigment
Knowing these symptoms is crucial to early detection. If you find a mole that has any of these features, contact your dermatologist. He or she will likely take a biopsy to test for cancer.8 If the biopsy comes back positive, then you will undergo further testing to see if the cancer has spread.
Treatment
Treatment for melanoma depends on how deep the melanoma is rooted in the skin and if it has spread throughout the body.9 The first step is surgery to remove the melanoma and the surrounding tissue. If the melanoma is caught at an early stage, this is often the only treatment needed. In more serious cases, the surrounding lymph nodes will also be removed to prevent the cancer from spreading into other parts of the body. If the cancer has spread, additional treatment options such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and biologic therapy should be pursued.10
Once the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, it becomes much more difficult to treat. That is why prevention and early detection are the key aspects to protect your skin from melanoma. You now know how to identify your risk factors, reduce your risk of melanoma, and examine your body for the cancer. Now all you need to do is put these steps into practice and make melanoma prevention a regular part of your life.
References
1 2009 Skin Cancer Fact Sheet. (2010). Retrieved from American Melanoma Foundation: www.melanomafoundation.org/facts/statistics.htm
2 Melanoma. (2011, April). Retrieved from National Cancer Institute: www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/melanoma
3 Bolognia, J. L., & Orlow, S. J. (2011, August 14). Melanocytes. Retrieved from American Academy of Dermatology: www.aad.org/education-and-quality-care/medical-student-core-curriculum/melanocytes
4 What You Need to Know About Moles and Dysplastic Nevi. (2011). Retrieved from National Cancer Institute: www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/moles-and-dysplastic-nevi/page4
5 Melanoma Treatment (PDQ). (2011, April). Retrieved from National Cancer Institute: www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/melanoma/Patient#Keypoint1
6 Armstrong, B., & Kricker, A. (1993). How much melanoma is caused by sun exposure? Melanoma Research, 395-401.
7 Melanoma: Diagnosis, treatment, and outcome. (2011). Retrieved from American Academy of Dermatology: www.aad.org/skin-conditions/dermatology-a-to-z/melanoma/diagnosis-treatment/melanoma-diagnosis-treatment-and-outcome
8 Melanoma Treatment (PDQ). (2011, April). Retrieved from National Cancer Institute: www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/melanoma/Patient#Keypoint1
9 Melanoma: Diagnosis, treatment, and outcome. (2011). Retrieved from American Academy of Dermatology: www.aad.org/skin-conditions/dermatology-a-to-z/melanoma/diagnosis-treatment/melanoma-diagnosis-treatment-and-outcome
10 Melanoma Treatment (PDQ). (2011, April). Retrieved from National Cancer Institute: www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/melanoma/Patient#Keypoint1
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