ABCDEs of Melanoma

Melanoma is one of many types of skin cancer, but it is the most serious type we can develop. It starts in the melanocytes, which are the type of skin cells that produce skin color. However, there are other cells that can develop melanoma, including those in the eyes and internal organs.

Risk factors for Melanoma include being someone who:

• has had exposure to UV rays from the sun and/or tanning beds
• has a history of sunburns
• has a lot of moles
• has fair skin, blue or green eyes, or blonde or red hair
• has a family history of melanoma
• has a personal history of melanoma
• has a weakened immune system from autoimmune disease, another cancer, chronic stress, diabetes, heart disease, etc.
• is of older age.

Most Melanomas are black or brown, but they can also be flesh-colored, pink, red or purple.

Men tend to have Melanomas on the trunk.

Women tend to have Melanomas on the arms and legs.

Check your skin once a month, especially if you had sunburns as a child. If you are of average risk, have a skin examination by your physician once a year. If you are high risk due to a recent skin cancer diagnosis or multiple risk factors listed above, you may require more frequent skin exams.

It is imperative when you are exposed to the sun, you wear sunscreen, hats that cover the ears, UV blocking sunglasses and UV blocking clothing. Do not forget to reapply sunscreen according to the manufacture's' directions.

Metastatic Melanoma (melanoma cells that have spread from the original site of the cancer) has no cure and is considered quite deadly. Fortunately, there are new treatments available that include immune checkpoint inhibitors that help the body recognize and attack cancer cells. These appear to be promising in the fight against Metastatic Melanoma.