Melanoma

Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer, accounting for the majority of skin cancer-related deaths.

Men are more likely to die of melanoma than women. In fact, young adult men are about twice as likely to die of melanoma. By age 50, men are also more likely than women to develop melanoma. By age 65, they are twice as likely and by 80, three times more likely.

Research has found it’s because men are less likely to apply sunscreen but also because men’s skin tends to be thicker with less fat underneath. With more collagen and elastin, skin remains firmer and tighter which allows melanoma – if it develops – to spread.

Despite the statistics, there is hope – early detection, prevention, and treatment can make a big difference. About 95 percent of men survive when it’s caught early. With that in mind, here’s what you need to know to protect yourself against melanoma.

Understand your Risk Factors

Understanding the risk factors of colon cancer is crucial especially because many of them can be managed:

Spending too much time in Sun

Prolonged exposure to UV radiation from the sun can significantly increase your risk. Always wear protective clothing, seek shade, and use broad-spectrum sunscreen

Fair Skin and Light features

Prolonged exposure to UV radiation from the sun can significantly increase your risk. Always wear protective clothing, seek shade, and use broad-spectrum sunscreen

Family History of Melanoma or other Skin Care

If you have close relatives who have had melanoma, you are at an increased risk. Share your family history with your healthcare provider to determine your screening needs.

Having many Moles or Abnormal Moles

A higher number of moles, particularly atypical ones, can be a red flag. Keep an eye on your moles and look for any changes in shape, size, or color

Screening and Early Detection

Research from the University of Colorado has pointed to children who have had at least five blistering sunburns are 80 percent more likely to get melanoma in their lifetime. Early detection of melanoma is pivotal to improving survival rates. Regular screening can help catch melanoma in its earliest stages when it is most treatable. Here are the screening steps you should consider:

Monthly Skin Self-Exam: Examine your skin from head to toe once a month using a mirror in a well-lit room. Look for any new moles or changes in existing moles.
Annual Dermatologist Visit: Schedule a yearly skin check-up with a dermatologist. A professional examination can detect potential issues you might miss during self-exams.
Photography: Take photographs of your moles and skin marks to monitor changes over time. Compare the photos monthly to detect early changes.

Treatment Options

Advances in melanoma treatment offer more hope than ever before. Early intervention is key to a positive outcome. Here are some of the treatment options:

Surgery

Surgery is a primary treatment for melanoma, especially in its early stages, and involves removing the cancer along with a margin of healthy tissue to ensure all cancerous cells are eliminated. The most common procedure, wide local excision, removes the melanoma and some surrounding skin, typically 1-2 cm, including underlying fatty tissue. For cases where there is a risk of spread, a sentinel lymph node biopsy may be performed to check if cancer has reached nearby lymph nodes, and if positive, additional nodes might be removed.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment option for melanoma that works by stimulating the body’s immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. Unlike traditional treatments, which directly target cancer cells, immunotherapy enhances the body’s natural defenses to fight cancer. The most common types of immunotherapy for melanoma include checkpoint inhibitors, which block proteins that prevent immune cells from attacking cancer, and cytokine therapy, which boosts the activity of immune cells.

Radiation Therapy

Radiotherapy, or radiation therapy, is a treatment option for melanoma that uses high-energy rays to target and kill cancer cells. It is typically used for melanoma that has spread to other parts of the body, such as the brain or bones, or when surgical removal of the tumor is not possible. Radiotherapy works by damaging the DNA within cancer cells, which prevents them from growing and dividing. It is commonly used in conjunction with other treatments, such as surgery or immunotherapy, to manage melanoma in advanced stages or to alleviate symptoms like pain caused by tumors in sensitive areas.

Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy is a treatment option for melanoma that focuses on specific molecular changes in cancer cells, aiming to block the growth and spread of tumors. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, which attacks all rapidly dividing cells, targeted therapy selectively targets abnormal genes or proteins that are driving the cancer’s growth. In melanoma, targeted therapies are particularly effective for tumors with specific mutations, such as the BRAF mutation, which occurs in a significant number of melanoma cases.

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are an important treatment option for melanoma, offering patients access to the latest experimental therapies that may not yet be widely available. These trials test new drugs, treatment combinations, or procedures to evaluate their safety, efficacy, and potential to improve outcomes for patients. For melanoma, clinical trials may focus on novel approaches like new immunotherapies, targeted therapies, or combinations of existing treatments to improve responses or reduce side effects. Participation in a clinical trial can provide patients with access to cutting-edge treatments, sometimes before they become part of standard care. However, clinical trials also come with risks, as the treatments being tested may not be as effective as current therapies or may lead to unexpected side effects. Patients considering clinical trials should be fully informed about the potential benefits and risks and should discuss with their healthcare team whether participation is appropriate for their specific situation.

Adopt Sun-Safe Habits

Make a commitment to wearing sunscreen daily, using protective clothing, and seeking shade. Educate your family about the importance of sun safety.

Spend time in the shade, especially between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Cover up with clothes like a wide-brimmed hat, collared shirt, sunglasses, and UV protection shirts.
Apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and reply regularly.
Move with the shade. As the shady spots move, move with them to protect yourself
Don’t be fooled by the weather. Windy or hazy days can fool us into thinking it isn’t that sunny out.