Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that grows from a particular type of cells in the skin known as melanocytes.
People living in Australia have one of the highest rates of melanoma in the world, which may explain why it is sometimes referred to as “Australia’s national cancer.” On average, 30 Australians are diagnosed with the skin cancer each day and it causes more than 1000 deaths in the country each year.
With this is mind, it makes sense for all Australians to know the basics about melanoma and what you can do to protect yourself. So let’s take a look!
What does a Melanoma look like?
A melanoma looks similar to a freckle, mole or spot on your skin and is usually brown or black in colour. They can also grow in normal moles in your skin, which can make them difficult to recognize, although most of the time they grow in a new area.
The spots can occur anywhere on the body, including areas that are not usually exposed to the sun. However, the most commonly appear on areas of the skin that a frequently exposed to sunlight. Women often have melanoma on their legs, whereas they appear more commonly on the backs of males.
Who is affected by Melanoma?
Melanoma is relatively common and approximately 1 in 60 people will get melanoma in their lifetime. Anyone can be affected, although there are some individuals who are more likely to get melanoma such as those who have:
- Fair white skin
- Freckles on their skin
- Several moles on their skin
- Skin that burns easily in sunlight
- Spent a lot of time exposed to ultraviolet radiation
- A family history of melanoma
Causes of Melanoma
People who spend a lot of time in the sun are most likely to be affected by melanoma. This is why it is suspected that exposure to ultraviolet radiation, which is present in sunlight, may cause melanoma. In Australia, people who live in Queensland, who tend to spend more time outside than in other areas of the country, are more likely to get melanoma.
However, ultraviolet exposure is not the only factor involved in causing melanoma. Sometimes people who don’t spend much time in the sun can be affected and melanoma can also appear on areas of the skin that are not usually exposed to sunlight.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8G150veUzBc[/embedyt]How can you recognize melanoma?
Besides protecting your skin from ultraviolet radiation that may cause melanoma, the best thing that you can do to protect yourself from the skin cancer is to keep an eye on skin changes and seek medical advice if you notice possible early signs of melanoma.
The first sign of melanoma is the formation of a new spot or a change in an existing mole or freckle on the skin. Changes that may indicate melanoma include:
- Color: altered color to brown, black, red, blue or white
- Size: enlargement of the spot or spreading to the surrounding skin
- Thickness: thickening of the mole or spot on the skin
- Sensation: itchiness, tingling or other sensations
- Nature: bleeding or other changes to the spot
If you notice any of these changes on your skin, it is best for you to seek medical advice to investigate the situation further.
Treatment of Melanoma
Fortunately, melanoma can be cured completely if they are detected and treated early enough. In fact, cure is possible for 95% of people with melanoma, which is why it is so important to check for changes in your skin regularly so that you can take action if needed.
The most common type of treatment is surgical removal of the affected area and some of the surrounding skin. The aim of this procedure is to remove all of the cancerous cells from the body so that healthy cells can go back in the area.
Some people may also require additional treatment, such as radiotherapy, immunotherapy and chemotherapy, particularly for melanomas that are detected at a later stage and may have spread to other areas of the body.
Prevention of Melanoma
There are several things that you can do to decrease your chances of being affected by melanoma. Here are a few things that can help to protect your skin from damage:
- Avoid exposure to direct sunlight when ultraviolet radiation is highest between 10 am and 3 pm each day (or 11 am and 4 pm during daylight savings time.)
- Wear adequate clothing (e.g. broad-brimmed hat and long-sleeved shirt) when outside to protect skin.
- Apply an SPF 30+ or 50+ sunscreen liberally to the skin when exposed to the sun and reapply regularly.
To pick up early signs of the condition, you should perform regular checks of your skin to help you to notice any changes to the skin if they occur. It can often help to take a photo of spots that you are worried about so that you can compare the pictures and easily pick up any subtle changes.
Additionally, if you are at risk of melanoma, it is wise for you to have an annual skin checkup with your GP or a specialist each year.
What to know more?
If you’d like to know more about melanoma and what you can do to protect yourself, we’ll be happy to help you at Inverell Pharmacy (next to Telstra). Simply stop by for a chat with one of our pharmacists for more information, or give us a call on 026722 3146.
Inverell Pharmacy – your locally owned and operated pharmacy with 5 Pharmacists to Assist and Advise you