Melanoma
What is melanoma?
Melanoma develops in our skins melanocytes. Melanocytes can be found all over our skin because they supply our skins pigment, melanin. The most concentrated sites of melanocytes are moles.
Melanoma is the least common type of skin cancer, accounting for less than 5%, but it is the most dangerous of all. It is the cause of most skin cancer deaths if not detected early.
Melanoma can develop in or near an existing mole or appear on normal looking skin. These cancer cells can then invade the skin around them or even spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or the bloodstream. If this metastasis occurs, further tumours may develop in other bodily organs. These secondary cancers can be very difficult to treat and may be fatal.
What causes melanoma?
The main cause of melanoma is thought to be linked to sun exposure. People with fair skin or who burn easily are the ones at greatest risk because their skin contains less melanin.
Having said this, melanoma can also appear anywhere on the body, not only in the places which get lots of sun and it sommetimes runs in families. People with a close relative who have had melanoma are at increased risk of developing this cancer.
What are the symptoms?
Melanoma generally causes no symptoms at all, but there may be some itchiness or tingling in the early stages. Most melanomas start as minor changes in colour, size or shape; however in the later stages they may become hard or lumpy, painful to touch and even bleed.
Can it be cured?
Yes, melanoma can be cured. Almost three quarters of people who have had a melanoma removed will have no further problems, but removal of the tumour in its early stages is crucial. Further surgery or chemotherapy can be used to treat a patient if the cancer has spread to other organs.
What are the treatment options?
Currently, the only way to treat melanoma effectively is surgery. If a melanoma is confirmed after a mole or other lesion has been removed, most people will have a wider excision around the area where it was growing. This will remove some healthy-looking skin to ensure that any melanoma cells which were near the mole but not visible are removed.
What does melanoma look like?
Melanoma can slowly develop in an already existing mole or it can suddenly appear as a new mole. It then changes in colour, shape or size. Typically, melanomas have an irregular outline and are multicoloured as opposed to a normal mole or freckle, which generally have smooth edges and equal colour.
A method of remembering the signs and symptoms of melanoma is the popular mnemonic ABCDE.
Asymmetrical in shape.
Melanomas are typically not uniform in shape where normal (benign) moles or freckles are usually round or symmetrical.
Border is irregular.
Melanomas often have a jagged or uneven border; normal moles have smooth, even borders.
Colour is uneven.
Melanomas are usually multicoloured ranging from brown, tan to black and in some cases, red, blue and white. Benign moles are usually uniform in colour.
Diameter is greater than 6mm.
Melanomas generally have a diameter greater than 6mm; normal moles or freckles are usually smaller than this.
Elevation of a mole.
Melanoma may sometimes grow vertically making it raised from the skin, generally benign mole are flat.
Melanoma can appear anywhere on the body, not only in the places which get lots of sun. The most common site of melanoma in men is the back, and in women, the backs of the legs.
Who’s at risk of developing melanoma?
People with fair skin or who burn easily are at greatest risk because their skin contains less melanin and family history plays a role also. It is important to remember though that anyone can develop skin cancer. Statistics show that one in two Australians will develop some sort of skin cancer. There are several factors that contribute to an increased risk of developing melanoma.
- A family history of melanoma
- Previous melanoma
- Fair skin and light coloured eyes
- Lots of freckles
- Previous severe sunburns
- Many dysplastic nevi (unusually shaped moles which are noncancerous)
- Many ordinary moles, more than 50 (most people have around 30)
- A weakened immune system
- Excess exposure to UV radiation
- Use of solariums – artificial UV radiation
If you have any of the above risk factors, you should check your skin periodically yourself, and have a yearly exam by your doctor.
What can i do?
Take steps to help prevent and reduce the risk of melanoma caused by UV radiation.
These should include:
- Stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm (daylight saving hours) or between 10am and 2pm all other times of the year.
- Stay in the shade. However, be sure to choose your shade carefully as UV can reflect off certain surfaces and you may still burn
- Wear clothing that gives you good protection from the sun
- Wear wide-brimmed hats to protect your face, neck and ears
- Use sunscreen. Sunscreen with SPF of at least 15+ with broad spectrum and water resistance should be used regardless of your skin type.
- Protect you lips with either sunscreen or lip balm with SPF.
- Protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses that meet Australian Standards. Wrap around style and closely fitting sunglasses offer the best protection.