Always be mindful of time spent outdoors and use a strong sunblock to help reduce the risk. People with numerous moles are also more susceptible to this type of skin cancer, making self-monitoring crucial for early detection.
Melanomas develop when the DNA of mole cells (melanocytes) experiences extreme UV damage that leads to a genetic mutation. This is typically caused by intense exposure to ultraviolet radiation, either from the sun or tanning beds. The genetic mutations cause the mole cells to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumors which can spread throughout the body. These cancerous changes often take place within existing moles, but can develop from normal skin as well.
Genetics, as well as skin type, can cause a person to be more prone to developing this type of skin cancer. The following factors have been shown to increase your susceptibility:
Unfortunately, many of these factors are unavoidable and out of an individual’s control. However, regulating the amount of time you spend in the sun, as well as practicing proper skin care strategies when in the sun, are factors that a pre-disposed person can take extra care to control. Avoid tanning beds at all costs, wear clothes that prevent the penetration of the sun’s rays, opt for sunscreen with a minimum 4-star UVA protection rating, spf 30 and regularly (and liberally) re-apply it, especially after swimming or sweating..
Treatment of melanoma depends on the severity of the cancerous mole and how deep it has invaded into the skin. When caught early, a superficial melanoma can be easily treated with a minor outpatient surgery in our office. If melanoma is caught late and has gone deep into the skin, the patient may need to be treated by a Surgical Oncologist to have cancer removed and have lymph nodes checked to make sure it has not spread past the skin.
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