Of course with the warm weather coming to Michigan, I NEED to spread the word about melanoma awareness! Melanoma is obviously a serious thing. I have come to the realization that most people think melanoma is simple-it's just skin cancer, right? True-in a way, if caught early, but then there is always the risk of it coming back or recurring. What they don't tell you, is that when it comes back, it doesn't always come back just on the skin again. Melanoma travels through the lymph system and recurrences may show up in vital organs such as your lungs, liver, brain and more. When melanoma spreads or metastasis beyond the skin or distant from the primary spot, it becomes a stage IV cancer. Melanoma becomes much more difficult to treat when it becomes stage IV.
There are many risk factors that can affect YOUR chances of developing melanoma! One huge factor and semi preventable, would be UV exposure. Between the nice hot sun and all those tanning beds, as the 'tan look' seems to be all the rave these days, the UV rays in these can raise the risk of melanoma developing. Having many moles is also a risk factor of developing melanoma. If you have many moles, it is important to have or do regular skin checks! Other risk factors include~having fair skin, freckles and light hair. Your risk also becomes greater when you have a relative who has had melanoma. Melanoma is not a fun thing to mess around with, so if you have one of these risk factors~ please be vigilant on skin checks, visit your dermatologist, and PLEASE wear your sunscreen!
Over 62,000 people are expected to be diagnosed with melanoma this year, 62,000! Of those 62,000, over 8,000 are expected to die. That equals one person almost every hour will succumb to this disease. Men have a higher rate of developing melanoma then women. The rate of melanoma diagnoses continue to rise, bringing it to the second most common cancer (next to breast cancer) in women between the ages of 20~35.
Below are the ABCD's of melanoma! If you notice any of these signs on a mole, it is probably wise to have them checked by a dermatologist!
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Asymmetry — One half does not match the other half.
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Border irregularity — The edges are ragged, notched or blurred.
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Color — Different shades of tan, brown or black are often present.
* Diameter — While melanomas are usually greater than 6mm in diameter when diagnosed, they can be smaller. If you notice a mole different from others, or which
changes, itches or bleeds even if it is smaller than 6mm, you should see a dermatologist.
So as the summer approaches, please practice safe sun!
