Melanoma, What is it?Melanoma - What is It? Melanoma is the most severe kind of skin cancer, and it most commonly affects the melanin (the pigment responsible for your skin's color) producing cells of the skin. It can also develop in the eyes and in some rare cases, certain internal organs of the body. The precise cause of the cancer has not yet been defined, but it has been proven that long-term exposure to UV radiation from tanning beds and sunlight can increase your risk for the disease. It can be effectively treated if caught early enough, which is why learning the signs of skin cancer is important. Though melanoma can form anywhere on the body, it primarily develops on areas that have the most exposure to the sun. The most popular areas include the face, arms, and legs. In less common cases, it can develop on the bottom of your feet and the palms of your hands. The initial signs of the cancer are an existing mole that has sudden changed in shape, color, or size, and the appearance of a new, odd-looking growth on the skin. It is important to consult with your doctor is you have any abnormal looking skin blemishes. Melanoma can be virtually impossible to diagnose just by looking at the skin and any oddities present. A biopsy must be done in order to test a section of the skin for cancerous cells. The skin is shaved off from the affected area, stained, and then magnified to view the cells. That is the only accurate way to diagnose the skin disease. There are several factors that may put someone more at risk for developing skin cancer. If you have very fair skin, you have less protection against the harmful UV rays. Therefore, you have a higher chance of getting the disease than darker skinned people. A history of severe sunburn can also increase your risks. Each time you burn, your skin becomes more and more damaged. This is especially true for children, whose melanin has not fully developed yet. For this reason, the greatest damage done by sunburn occurs before age 18. Hereditary factors can also put you more at risk. The treatment for skin cancer varies from case to case, as it largely depends on how far the cancer has progressed before treatment is administered. Early stage cases can be removed by shaving away the affected skin. If the disease can progressed beyond the skin, surgical removal can sometimes still be an option, depending on the location in the body. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are also options for further stages of skin cancer. While melanoma can be a scary skin disease, it is also preventable, and easily treatable if detected early on. It is important for you to learn the signs and symptoms, so that you can present your findings to your doctor in a timely manner. Keep an eye on your body, and take notice to any new, unusual spots or changes in moles. Protect yourself from the sun and
avoid tanning beds
to reduce your chances of developing the cancer.
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