When it Comes to Melanoma Prevention, Vigilance is So Important
- The story of a father of two, who was diagnosed with advanced melanoma, serves as a reminder about how crucial it is to be vigilant about one’s own health.
- Paul Manchester’s wife noticed a suspicious spot on his back, but he unfortunately put off seeking medical attention for a bit.
- Dermatologists recommend that everyone do self skin checks to monitor for any new or abnormal-looking marks or moles that may indicate skin cancer.
- Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, but has a very high cure-rate when caught early.
Experts recommend that everyone do regular checks of their own skin, and seek a professional opinion when they notice any new or changing moles, spots, or marks on their skin.
Read More“For the most part he was well, the treatment worked, and he had a good quality of life. Lots of people didn't even know he was ill at all, and he was still working right up until last August,” she said.
Monitoring for Melanoma
Skin cancer is by far the most common form of cancer diagnosed in the United States, and melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that around 9,500 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with skin cancer every single day. So, how can you monitor for this disease?
Dermatologists recommend making regular appointments to have a doctor look over your skin and make sure nothing suspicious has popped up. But paying attention to your own body is a crucial step as well.
“We recommend that you look at your skin once a month and ask yourself, do any of your spots satisfy what we call the ABCDEs? The ABCDEs is an acronym to help us remember what atypical signs in a mole are,” Dr. Cecilia Larocca, a dermatologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, told SurvivorNet.
Dr. Cecilia Larocca explains how to do a self skin-check to look for signs that may indicate skin cancer.
“[These signs] should flag your attention and [you should] come back to the dermatologist, perhaps sooner than your regularly scheduled exam,” she said.
Here are the signs to look out for when it comes to moles, the ABCDEs:
- Asymmetry: If you drew a line straight down the center of the mole, would the sides match? If not, your mole is considered asymmetrical
- Borders: The edges of your mole look irregular, jagged, or uneven; B can also stand for bleeding
- Colors: Multiple distinct colors in the mole, including patches of pink, brown, grey, and black
- Diameter: Larger than 6mm, about the size of a pencil head eraser
- Evolution: Anything that's changing over time such as gaining color, losing color, pain, itching, changing shape, etc.
If you notice any of these signs that could indicate a skin issue, make sure to contact a dermatologist as soon as possible. The quicker a skin cancer is caught, the easier it is to treat.
Am I at High-Risk for Melanoma?
Like other cancers, being aware of your risk factors is also important when it comes to catching melanoma early.
Dr. Anna Pavlick explains who may have a high risk of developing melanoma.
“Most patients who go routinely to their dermatologist are patients who are at risk,” Dr. Anna Pavlick, a medical oncologist at NYU Perlmutter Cancer Center, told SurvivorNet.
You may have a higher risk for melanoma if you have:
- Fair skin (with blonde or red hair and blue eyes)
- A history of using tanning beds
- Many moles or atypical moles
- Family history
- A previous diagnosis
- A weakened/suppressed immune system
Still, even if you don’t fit into the “high risk” category, paying attention to your skin and any new developments on it, and seeking professional help if anything does show up, is still important.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
- Do I have a high risk of developing melanoma?
- Do I have any marks/moles that I should keep an eye on?
- What else can I do (besides skin checks and limiting sun exposure) to reduce my risk?
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