Melanoma is a kind of skin cancer that is due to overexposure to the sun's UV rays. Half of all cases of malignant melanoma originate in moles that are irregular in shape and color, and can be as large as half an inch in diameter. If treated early, chances of recovery are good.
Who's at greatest risk?
People of blond or red hair with fair skin and blue or green eyes who sunburn or freckle easily are at greatest risk. If you've had severe or blistering sunburns in childhood, you're twice as likely to develop melanoma later in life.
What kinds of melanoma are there?
There are 4 types of melanoma:
* Nodular melanoma attacks the underlying tissue without spreading across the skin. More common in men than women, the lesions resemble blood blisters and may be pearly white to blue-black. This type of melanoma spreads to other sites in the body faster than other types.
* Lentigo maligna melanoma, more common in women than men, occurs on the face, neck, ears, or other areas that have been heavily exposed to the sun for a long period of time. This melanoma rarely occurs before the age of fifty and is usually preceded by a pre-cancerous stage that appears years before.
* Acral lentiginous melanoma occurs most often in people of African and Asian descent. Lesions are flat with dark-brown areas and bumpy portions that appear on the palms of hands, soles of feet, nail beds and mucous membranes.
* Superficial spreading melanoma is the most common type. It begins as a flat mole, often on the lower legs or upper back, that develops a raised, irregular surface that grows into an asymmetrical and notched lesion.
What to do to lower your risk for melanoma
*Stay away from tanning salons (UVA rays can also cause skin cancer), and never lie in the sun for hours. Stay out of the sun between l0 a.m. and 2 p.m. And wear a hat that protects your face (good for preventing wrinkles, too!), and long sleeves and long pants if you will be in the sun for more than 15-30 minutes.
*See your health care provider if you observe any of the following; 90 percent of skin cancers are curable:
- an open sore that bleeds, crusts over, and does not heal well
- a reddish, irritated spot on the chest, shoulder, arms or leg that may itch or or hurt or not cause any discomfort
- a smooth growth with an elevated border and an indented center; as it grows, blood vessels develop on the surface
- an enlarging, irregular, "angry-looking" lesion on your ears, lips or face
- a shiny scarlike area that is yellow, white or waxy with a taut, shiny appearance
* Eat a diet that is low in fat and high in antioxidants (carrots, squash, spinach, broccoli,Brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage, turnips, potatoes and citrus fruits) and vitamin E (asparagus, raw nuts, wheat germ, green leafy vegetables, asparagus, and extra virgin olive oil)
