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Melanoma: What You Need to Know
Melanoma is a skin cancer that starts in the melanocytes, or the cells in our skin that produce the pigment that gives us our color. A melanoma can be any color including: brown, black, grey, red , blue , or any mixture of these colors. Melanoma can start as a new spot on the skin, or it can grow within a mole or skin lesion that was already present.
The incidence of melanoma is on the rise, and it is important to become educated about melanoma because if diagnosed early it has a higher survival rate. The American Cancer Society estimates on average, 41200 people are diagnosed yearly with melanoma skin cancers in Florida. Eighteen melanomas were diagnosed in 2015, here at Florida Skin Center by our providers.
There are different risk factors for developing a melanoma, some of which can be controlled and others that cannot. Fair skinned individuals and those who burn more easily are at an increased risk. Also are individuals with red or blonde hair and/or blue or green eyes. Someone who has many moles on their body or has had a dysplastic nevus or changing mole is too at an increased risk for developing a melanoma. A family history of melanoma in one or more first degree relative such as a parent, brother, sister, or child, increases a person’s risk. In fact, approximately 10% of those diagnosed with a melanoma, have a family history. Someone who has personally had a melanoma has approximately a 5 percent chance of developing another. A weakened immune system is another factor that may increase person’s chances of developing a melanoma skin cancer.
Overall, men have a higher incidence of developing melanoma. The average age melanoma is diagnosed is 61, although we are starting to see melanomas grow in the younger populations. In fact melanoma is the most common cancer in young adults aged 25-59 years old. Women are more likely to develop this diagnosis before age 40, whereas men are more likely to develop melanoma after the age of 40.
One of the preventable risk factors is UV or ultraviolet light exposure. About 86 percent of melanomas can be attributed to exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Ultraviolet (UV) light can damage the DNA of the cells, which can cause melanoma. Most UV light is from sun exposure, but can also come from tanning beds. A person’s risk for developing melanoma doubles if they have had one or more blistering sunburns, or 5 or more sunburns from any UV source.
When found early, melanoma is highly curable. When detected early, the overall 5-year survival rate is approximately 98 percent in the US. Melanomas become more of a concern when they spread to regional lymph nodes or other organs. This is why early detection is so crucial.
As the old quote goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Although there are some risk factors that can’t be changed, there are some precautions that can be taken to reduce your risk of developing a melanoma.
• Use a broad spectrum sunscreen (protects against UVA and UVB rays.) Use a sunscreen with a SPF or sun protective factor of at least 30. Reapply approximately 1oz of sunscreen every 2 hours.
• Limit sun exposure during hours when the UV rays are the strongest, between 10AM and 4 PM
• Wear protective clothing, sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat.
• Avoid tanning beds
• Have an annual skin exam performed by a dermatologist.
• Do self-skin exams, using the ABCDE's every month, and look for new or changing moles.
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