Melanoma

What is Melanoma?

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops in cells that produce melanin - the pigment that gives your skin its color. Melanoma can also form in your eyes and rarely inside your body such as in your nose or throat.

The exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight or tanning lamps and beds increases your risk of developing melanoma. Limiting your exposure to UV radiation can help reduce your risk of Melanoma.

The risk of Melanoma seems to be increasing in people under 40, especially women. By knowing the warning signs of skin cancer it can help ensure that cancerous changes are detected and are treated before the cancer has spread. Melanoma can be treated successfully if it is detected early.

Risk Factors of Melanoma

Factors that may increase your risk of Melanoma include :

a) A history of sunburn

---> One or more severe, blistering sunburns can increase your risk of melanoma.

b) Excessive ultraviolet light exposure

---> Exposure to UV radiation which comes from the sun and from tanning lights and beds, can increase the risk of melanoma.

c) Living closer to equator or at a higher elevation

---> People living closer to earth's equator, where the sun's rays are more direct experience higher amount of UV radiation than do those living farther north or south. In addition, if you live at a high elevation, you're exposed to more UV radiation.

d) Having many moles or unusual moles

---> Having more than 50 ordinary moles on your body indicates an increased risk of Melanoma. Also, having an unusual type of mole increases the risk of Melanoma. Known medically as dysplastic nevi, these tend to be larger than normal moles and have irregular borders and a mixture of colors.

e) A family history of melanoma

---> If a close relative - such as parent, child or sibling - has had Melanoma, you have greater chance of developing a Melanoma, too.

f) Weakened immune system

---> People with weakened immune systems have an increased risk of Melanoma and other skin cancers. Your immune system may be impaired if you take medicine to suppress the immune system, such as after an organ transplant, or if you have a disease that impairs the immune system, such as AIDS.

Prevention of Melanoma

You can reduce your risk of Melanoma if you :

a) Avoid the sun during the middle of the day

---> For many people in North America, the sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Schedule outdoor activities for other times of the day, even in winter or when the sky is cloudy.

You absorb UV radiation year-round, and clouds offer little protection from damaging rays. Avoiding the sun at its strongest helps you avoid the sunburns and suntans that cause skin damage and increase your risk of developing skin cancer. Sun exposure accumulated over time may also cause skin cancer.

b) Wear sunscreen year-round

---> Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, even on cloudy days. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours - or more often if you're swimming or perspiring.

c) Wear protective clothing

---> Cover your skin with dark, tightly woven clothing that covers your arms and legs, and a broad-brimmed hat, which provides more protection than does a baseball cap or visor.

Some companies also sell protective clothing. A dermatologist can recommend an appropriate brand. Don't forget sunglasses. Look for those that block both types of UV radiation - UVA and UVB rays.

d) Avoid tanning lamps and beds

---> Tanning lamps and beds emit UV rays and can increase your risk of skin cancer

e) Become familiar with your skin so that you'll notice changes

---> Examine your sin often for new skin growths or changes in existing moles, freckles, bumps and birthmarks. With the help of mirrors, check your face, neck, ears and scalp.

Examine your chest and trunk and the tops and undersides of your arms and hands. Examine both the front and back of your legs and your feet, including the soles and the spaces between your toes.