How To Identify The First Signs Of Melanoma

Melanoma is the most serious type of cancer that exists and is caused by excessive exposure to the sun without protection. Find out in this article how to identify the first signs of melanoma.

What is a melanoma?

Knowing more about this disease is the first step in avoiding skin cancer.

Melanoma grows in cells that produce pigment and color the skin (i.e. melanin).

It can form on the skin, but also on the eyes and in internal organs, although the latter case is very rare.

The causes of melanoma are not yet clear but it has been confirmed that prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun for many years and without using sunscreen can cause skin cancer.

In addition, the use of UV lamps for self-tanning is also a risk factor.

If caught in time, this cancer can be treated successfully. For this, we must pay attention to the most important risk factors.

Age

The possibility of having melanoma increases with age, that is, from the age of 40, you are more at risk.

This may be due to many years of incorrect sun exposure during which the skin began to lose health and youthfulness, becoming more vulnerable to external agents.

Gender

Several studies have shown that women are more likely to suffer from skin cancer than men.

This may be due to the fact that they like to bask in the sun, although it is obvious that beyond habits and aesthetics, women over 40 are more vulnerable due to menopause and hormonal, physical and mental changes.

Light skin

People with fair skin have less pigment that protects them and therefore UV rays are more harmful to them.

Likewise, blondes and redheads with light eyes and freckles are the most common patients with melanoma.

On the contrary, brunettes with brown or black eyes are more protected from skin cancer, although that doesn’t mean they aren’t affected. They are only less likely to suffer from it.

The sun burns

If you have burned yourself in the sun several times in the summer (typical for people with white complexions), you will have a greater chance of suffering from melanoma, as the skin will become more sensitive as a result of sunburn.

Self-examination, how to prevent melanoma

Like many other illnesses, we should do our own exams. And keep track of certain alterations or changes that occur in our body.

In the occasional case of skin cancer, it is important to get into the habit of monitoring your skin at least once a month. A fter the shower for example.

Understanding the moles, freckles and marks that appear and change over time, whether in shape, appearance or size, is essential.

With a full-length mirror, you can see the hardest to reach areas like your back. You can also ask your spouse to take a look.

Signs that you should watch out for are any sores, protrusions, blemishes, or unusual changes that may appear in any area of ​​the skin.

The first symptoms that indicate there is a problem are changes to existing moles. The development of new moles, freckles or unusual spots. Overgrowth of moles or freckles and suppuration or drainage of moles.

Moles that can turn into melanoma are asymmetrical, irregularly shaped. With jagged edges and colors that change with time and with observations. They measure more than 6 mm.

They can progress with several symptoms such as itching, scaling, bleeding, exudation or diffusion of pigment in the skin.

When to go to the doctor?

If, when you look at your moles and spots, you realize that something is not normal, it is important to see a dermatologist.

Depending on your case and professional criteria, a biopsy may be necessary.

This technique consists of extracting a small portion of a mole, freckle or suspicious spot for analysis and diagnosis.

If the results indicate that it is melanoma, treatment will depend on how advanced the disease is.

If it is detected prematurely, the doctor will determine the thickness of the mole as well as its size. Then he will prescribe a treatment to eliminate or extirpate it.

He may order a biopsy from other areas of the skin to see if there is more damage elsewhere.

With the help of a small surgical intervention, one extracts the cancer and a small piece of skin. So that there is no risk of spread.

The more advanced cases may require more complicated surgeries. Chemotherapy or radiation therapy to also destroy cancer cells.