Melanoma: A Serious Type of Skin Cancer
What is Melanoma?
The most serious type of skin cancer is known as melanoma. It originates in the skin cells that make melanin, which gives skin its pigment and protects the deeper layers of skin from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays. These cells are called melanocytes. The melanocytes produce more melanin and cause the skin to tan when time is spent in the sunlight. The melanocytes may start to grow abnormally and can become cancerous if the skin obtains too much ultraviolet light. This condition is commonly known as skin cancer or melanoma. The same effect occurs when the skin is exposed to other forms of ultraviolet light such as a tanning bed. According to Diffey’s article (2007) there have been several studies since the 1980’s that have examined the association of sunbed use with malignant melanoma and where case-control studies, particularly more recent ones, have generally found a positive association between the use of sunbeds and melanoma. Where and What to Look For?
A change in the size, shape, or color of a mole is usually the first indicator of melanoma. However, melanoma is also capable of surfacing on the body as a new mole. It can appear anywhere on the skin, but in women, melanoma commonly appears on the lower legs. In men, it typically develops on the upper body, in the head and neck region, and between the shoulders and hips. People with darker skin may develop melanoma on the palms of the hands, under the fingernails or toenails, and on the soles of the feet. It is important to frequently perform skin self-examinations to check for new moles or changes in moles because these may be the most common places for melanomas to appear, but they can develop anywhere on the skins surface. The chances of recovery are immense with early diagnosis and treatment.
Sun Exposure in Childhood
As you age the risk of acquiring melanoma increases, but the development of melanoma can happen at any age. One of the most common forms of cancer in young
The most serious type of skin cancer is known as melanoma. It originates in the skin cells that make melanin, which gives skin its pigment and protects the deeper layers of skin from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays. These cells are called melanocytes. The melanocytes produce more melanin and cause the skin to tan when time is spent in the sunlight. The melanocytes may start to grow abnormally and can become cancerous if the skin obtains too much ultraviolet light. This condition is commonly known as skin cancer or melanoma. The same effect occurs when the skin is exposed to other forms of ultraviolet light such as a tanning bed. According to Diffey’s article (2007) there have been several studies since the 1980’s that have examined the association of sunbed use with malignant melanoma and where case-control studies, particularly more recent ones, have generally found a positive association between the use of sunbeds and melanoma. Where and What to Look For?
A change in the size, shape, or color of a mole is usually the first indicator of melanoma. However, melanoma is also capable of surfacing on the body as a new mole. It can appear anywhere on the skin, but in women, melanoma commonly appears on the lower legs. In men, it typically develops on the upper body, in the head and neck region, and between the shoulders and hips. People with darker skin may develop melanoma on the palms of the hands, under the fingernails or toenails, and on the soles of the feet. It is important to frequently perform skin self-examinations to check for new moles or changes in moles because these may be the most common places for melanomas to appear, but they can develop anywhere on the skins surface. The chances of recovery are immense with early diagnosis and treatment.
Sun Exposure in Childhood
As you age the risk of acquiring melanoma increases, but the development of melanoma can happen at any age. One of the most common forms of cancer in young
References: Diffey, B. (2007, August). Sunbeds, beauty and melanoma. British Journal of Dermatology, pp. 215-216. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2007.07960.x. Oliveria, S., Saraiya, M., Geller, A., Heneghan, M., & Jorgensen, C. (2006). Sun exposure and risk of melanoma. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 91(2), 131-138 Reichrath, J. (2009). Skin cancer prevention and UV-protection: how to avoid vitamin D- defiency? British Journal of Dermatology,16154-6, doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2009.09450.x Thompson, J.F., Morton, D.L. (Eds.). (2004). Textbook of Melanoma: Pathology, Diagnosis and Management. Kentucky: Independence. Woodall, C., Martin, R., Stromberg, A., Ginter, B., Burton, A., Ross, M., et al. (2009). Do Melanoma Patients from Southern Climates Have a Worse Outcome Than Those from Northern Climates?. American Surgeon, 75(8), 687-692.