Melanoma - What Women Need to Know About This Skin Cancer
It's easy to dismiss skin cancer as a minor problem. After all, most skin malignancies may be treated if detected early. However, it is critical to comprehend the numbers.
Melanoma, the most dangerous kind of skin cancer, is diagnosed in around 87,000 individuals each year, according to the American Cancer Society. Men are nearly twice as likely as women to die from this malignancy.
There are several key melanoma facts that every woman should be aware of:
Melanoma is more likely to strike women under the age of 49 than any other disease, except breast and thyroid cancer.
Melanoma affects more white women than white males until they reach the age of 49.
How to Recognize Melanoma
Melanomas may be treated if detected early, therefore it's crucial to check your skin frequently. The ABCDE method is advised for detecting abnormal changes in moles:
⦁ Asymmetry: Half of the mole isn't the same as the other.
⦁ The mole's border is ragged or irregular in appearance.
⦁ Colors: There are several colors in the mole.
⦁ The mole is about the size of a pencil eraser in diameter.
⦁ The mole is evolving, either becoming bigger or bleeding.
Who is in danger?
Complexion cancer is more common in those with pale skin, lighter eyes, and lighter hair. A family history of melanoma, time spent in the sun without protection, early childhood sunburns, immunosuppressive diseases, a compromised immune system, and having many freckles or moles are all risk factors.
Skin Cancer Prevention: Three-Pointers
Fortunately, all forms of skin cancer may be avoided. Experts suggest that you adopt these three skin cancer preventive tips:
1. While in the sun, reapply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every three hours. To ensure appropriate application, hold a spray nozzle 1 centimeter away from the skin.
2. Have a dermatologist check your skin once a year, especially if you have a family history of skin cancer or sunburns.
3. Once a month, before or after a shower, do a full-body self-exam.
The following are seven facts concerning melanoma that every woman should be aware of:
1. Melanoma affects one in every 40 white women, making them 20 times more likely than any other ethnic group to acquire the disease. In addition, while both populations have a low incidence rate, Hispanic women have a little higher risk than African-American women. Women of African-American, American Indian, and Asian/Pacific Islander descent had higher incidences of cancer.
2. Melanoma risk rises with age, although many young people are at risk as well. Melanoma is one of the most prevalent cancers among those under 30 years old, especially younger women. While it is more common in older individuals, it is one of the most common malignancies among those under 30 years old.
3. Any area on the skin that changes in color, shape, or size is the most revealing symptom of melanoma. Any new spot on the skin, or one that looks different from others, might be a symptom. Red flags include ragged borders, asymmetry, swelling, itching, a pigment that seeps into surrounding skin, and a combination of hues in the same location.
4. Melanomas most commonly occur on the legs of women, and they are generally black or brown, however, they can also be tan, pink, or white. Because they are regularly exposed to sunlight, the face and neck are also typical sites.
5. Green or blue eyes, blond or red hair, and light or freckled skin are all risk factors for melanoma. Melanoma is a close relative raises the risk; around 10% of people with melanoma have a family history of the disease. And having had melanoma before increases the chances of getting it again. In addition, a compromised immune system is a risk factor.
6. Surgery, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment — or a mix of these — can all be used to treat melanoma, depending on its stage and severity. It is essential to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each treatment option with a medical professional to develop the optimal treatment plan and achieve the greatest results.
7. The most common cause of melanoma and skin cancer is exposure to UV radiation from open sunlight, tanning beds, and sun lamps.
The DNA of the genes in skin cells is damaged by UV radiation, which inhibits their development. It's vital to keep in mind that sun exposure isn't limited to the beach. It may be found just by going outdoors on any given day.
