Melanoma is diagnosed 160,000 new cases each year.
Could you be one of them?

Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer accounting for 75% of all skin cancers.

To date I have survived three malignant skin cancer attacks. As a child and young man I was always shirtless, swimming and playing at the beach, Playing sport, fishing from the wharf or boat, my body was uncovered. To relax I lay in the sun with a book and baked.

It was not until I was married and working in the garden, shirtless of course, and my wife started bringing out the sun block and covering my back with it that I started to cover up a bit. Needless to say I got a good tan each year, which I thought was cool. To get this tan each year I would get sunburnt, I would blister (no fun that) and then start to tan. I never thought of doing anything differently.

I do things differently now, even before the melanoma’s appeared. I have learnt that you can still get a tan without the treating your skin so harshly.

The three melanomas have all arrived in the last 15 years, but not all at once. They did not hurt or cause me any discomfort, they all appeared in parts of my body that I could not see. I am very lucky so far as each time someone saw the mark and recognised it for what it might be and suggested that I see the Doctor.

The first person followed up and hounded me until I went and showed my back to the Doctor. I am so lucky. Result, he did not like the look of it, sent me to specialist who removed and had it tested, just as well he had removed it. I do not need reminding now, if someone sees something on my body that they think is not right I am down to the Doctor just as fast as I can.

I now recognise that I am no longer bulletproof and that the cancer gene lives somewhere in my body so I take all sensible precautions What is Melanoma, it is a malignant tumor which is found predominantly on the skin, it can be elsewhere on the body as well. It is the most serious form of cancer of the skin.

The exact cause of these cancerous tumours is not clear, but the exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation greatly increases your risk of cancer occurring

Melanoma can be treated successfully if you catch it early.

This type of tumor can develop anywhere on your body, most often developing in areas that have had exposure to the sun, such as you back, legs, arms and face. The development of a tumor is not restricted to these areas alone.

The first melanoma symptoms often are: -

• A change in an existing mole, or
• The development of a new, unusual looking growth on your skin

A guide called the A-B-C-D-E Guide has been developed by the American Academy of Dermatology that assists with the examination of moles that may indicate a skin cancer of any type. This guide is as follows:-

• A is for asymmetrical shape. Look for moles with irregular shapes, such as two very different looking halves.
• B is for irregular border. Look for moles with irregular, notched or scalloped borders – the characteristics of Melanomas.
• C is for changes in colour. Look for growths that have many colours or an uneven distribution of colour.
• D is for diameter. Look for new growth in a mole larger that about ¼ inch (6 millimetres)
• E is for evolving. Look for changes over time, such as a mole that grows in size or that changes colour or shape. Moles may also evolve to develop new signs and symptoms, such as new itchiness or bleeding.

Other suspicious changes in a mole may include:-

• Scaliness,
• Itching
• Change of texture – E.G. becoming hard or lumpy
• Spreading of pigment from the mole into the surrounding skin.
• Oozing or bleeding.

If left alone the tumor will develop further and spread through out the body. The cancer, when once established itself else where, will spread rapidly and most likely prove fatal.

However, if a skin cancer is found and treated early enough more that 99% of its victims will be cured.

The good news about melanoma and the other skin cancer is that they can be avoided. By taking some simple everyday steps, and, by following these straightforward precautions it can be prevented.:-

• Avoid the sun during the hottest part of the day(10am to 4pm)
• wearing sunscreen year round, apply it early and replenish it regularly
• Wear protective clothing.
• Avoid tanning beds.
• Be aware of sun-sensitising medications. Check with your Doctor or Pharmacist and ask if your medication could make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, if they do take extra precautions.
• Check you skin regularly and report changes to your Doctor.
• Have a mole map done. Ask your Doctor to arrange.

Be aware of what you are doing to your skin when you are outside enjoy yourself and take reasonable care. Talk to your Doctor or Nurse often. Avoid melanoma.

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