Understanding Melanoma
- Days after finding out her melanoma hasn't spread, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Teddi Mellencamp, 40, is celebrating by changing up her look.
- Last week, she posted some good news to Instagram: "Got my results back and it's good news: melanoma in situ which means the cancer cells were contained in that area of my skin and have not spread any deeper!"
- Melanoma is a skin cancer that starts in the cells that give your skin, hair and eyes their color.
- Melanoma can develop from an existing mole, like in Mellencamp's case, or appear as a dark or pink growth on the skin, even on, or in, parts of the body that never see the sun.
The reality star and Two Ts in a Pod host cut her long locks into a sleek blonde bob, she revealed in an Instagram post Tuesday afternoon.
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"This time I chopped my hair after finding out that my melanoma was stage 0 and contained in the area that was removed," she added. "I can say that in this moment, it feels good to have a fresh healthy cut."
Last week, she posted some good news to Instagram: "Got my results back and it's good news: melanoma in situ which means the cancer cells were contained in that area of my skin and have not spread any deeper!"
View this post on Instagram
"I feel blessed and relieved but also grateful to have diligent friends and doctors to watch out for me. I'll now need to have 3-month checkups, while always making sure to wear sunscreen (a given, I know!) and protective clothing," she added.
"I really hope that in sharing all of this, I can encourage all of you to get your skin checked annually if I hadn't gone in, I don't want to think about how it could have gone differently. Our skin is something a lot of us take for granted but not me anymore and I hope not you either."
Mellencamp is married to Colombian-born Edwin Arroyave, 44. The pair got hitched in 2011. Mellencamp has three children with Arroyave: Slate, 9; Cruz, 7; and Dove, 2. She’s also a stepmother to his daughter, Isabella, 13, from a previous relationship.
Understanding Melanoma
Melanoma is a skin cancer that starts in the cells that give your skin, hair and eyes their color.
"Melanomas are the deadliest type of skin cancer because they have a tendency to spread to other parts of the body," Dr. Anna Pavlick, an oncologist at Weill Cornell Medicine, previously told SurvivorNet.
Dr. Pavlick also explained the procedure for removing a stage 1 melanoma. She said: "For patients who have stage 1 melanoma, the excision is done by the dermatologist. It's a local procedure. You don't need to be hospitalized for it. The first thing that we do always is to clean off the skin. Clean off the area with some betadine or a cleanser that will sterilize that area and get rid of the bacteria."
"We will then inject lidocaine or a local anesthetic that will numb up that area. The dermatologist will then take a scalpel, and cut an ellipse or a circle around that area, making sure that they get enough skin around it, as well as underneath that lesion, and then put in some sutures or some stitches."
Melanoma can develop from an existing mole, like in Teddi Mellencamp's case, or appear as a dark or pink growth on the skin, even on, or in, parts of the body that never see the sun.
Paying attention to moles or growths on your skin is an easy way to keep an eye out for melanoma. Discovering changes to an existing mole or a new growth on your skin can be signs of this cancer, according to SurvivorNet experts. Spots on your skin can be harmless, but it is important to monitor them and contact your doctor if you find cause for concern. Using sunscreen regularly can also lower your risk of developing melanoma.
Teddi Mellencamp’s Message: Remember to Wear Your Sunscreen
Protecting your skin by wearing sunscreen and getting skin checks are so important, Teddi Mellencamp says.
Many people slather on sunscreen every day, but if you're not choosing the right type or not using enough, it may not be working.
Dr. Cecilia Larocca, a dermatologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, previously told SurvivorNet it is recommended that you use no less than SPF 30 and reapply it regularly. The sunscreen should also be broad spectrum, Dr. Larocca added, meaning it covers both UVB and UVA rays.
Choose the Right Sunscreen and Use it Often
According to Dr. Larocca, people usually only get about 50% of the SPF on the label. So, if you're using SPF 60, you're really getting closer to 30 SPF of protection. To make sure you're getting the right protection, she also recommends using sunscreen every two hours and wearing protective clothing, such as a hat and sunglasses.
According to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, you should:
- Avoid sun exposure during peak hours when the sun's rays are strongest: between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before going outside
- Use at least SPF 30 broad spectrum sunblock and reapply every two hours when outdoors
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