All you need to know about melanoma, How to diagnose and prevent it

Melanoma is a dangerous form of skin cancer. It develops when normal cells turn abnormal, becoming cancerous, and can occur anywhere in the body. It occurs on the skin, often in hard-to-reach places, as well as on the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and genitals. In the absence of timely treatment, there is a possibility of spread to the internal organs.

Melanoma can appear in any person, regardless of the color of his skin, one of the reasons is a genetic predisposition. Over the past decades, the incidence of this type of cancer has doubled.

What are the symptoms of melanoma?

Melanoma often looks like a brown or black mole, but has distinctive features. One way to memorize her anomalous features is to use the letter “memory” A, B, C, D, and E.

• • Asymmetry (A – asymmetry)  – one half looks different than the other.
  • Border (B – border)  – has a jagged or uneven edge.
  • Color (C – color)  – different colors or a combination of them are noticeable (for example, brown, black and red).
  • Diameter (D – diameter)  – larger than the eraser at the end of the pencil.
  • Evolution (E – evolving)  – size, color or shape change over time.

Melanomas can also ulcerate and bleed.

What you should pay attention to?

There are factors that increase the risk of developing the disease:

• • • 1st skin phototype – it includes people with blond or red hair, blue or green eyes, pale, often burning skin and easily occurring freckles.
    • Having a history of sunburn – even one sunburn, especially one with blistering, increases the risk of developing melanoma.
    • Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation – if you often go to the sea, live in southern regions where UV radiation is stronger, or visit a solarium.
    • The abundance of moles on the body – the number of nevi more than 50 is an indicator of a predisposition to melanoma.
    • The presence of atypical moles – large nevi with uneven contours, different colors.
    • Burdening by family history – melanoma in relatives of the 1st line. 10% of patients with this disease had a family history of this form of cancer.
    • Immunosuppression – HIV-positive patients and patients on immunosuppressive therapy should be careful with prolonged exposure to the sun.

Is there a test for melanoma?

At the appointment, the attending physician will conduct an examination and check the skin all over the body. If melanoma is suspected, you will have a follow-up test called a biopsy, during which the entire abnormal area is usually removed. In some cases, a small skin sample is taken from this area.