Melanoma detection and prevention are vital
Take simple steps to observe changes in your skin.
Skin cancer may come in different varieties, but melanoma is the most dangerous form since it can spread to other parts of the body, including organs if untreated.
According to the American Cancer Society, melanoma accounts for only 1 percent of all skin cancers. But its impact makes it even more important for people to understand not only how they can help prevent it, but also to be vigilant to detect and report any abnormalities to their physician on an ongoing basis.
“Melanoma is a skin cancer, just like a basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma,” said Matthew Doepker, MD, a surgeon with Premier Surgical Oncology. “However, the difference is that melanoma arises from melanocytes, which are cells that produce melanin which causes pigmentation in your skin. Melanoma also differs from other skin cancers in terms of how it spreads since it has a higher chance of spreading to the lymph nodes than basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma.”
Dr. Doepker, a certified physician with MD Anderson Cancer Network at Premier Health, explained that once the cancer reaches the lymph nodes, it then can spread to other parts of the body, making it so dangerous if left untreated. As a result, people are encouraged to pay close attention to three key elements in observing changes in their skin. As Dr. Doepker likes to say, it’s important for people to learn their “A, B, C’s”:
■ A is for asymmetry: Most melanomas tend to be asymmetrical, which means that the halves of a lesion don’t usually match like a round or oval shaped common mole.
■ B is for border: The borders of melanoma are usually uneven and may have ridged or irregular edges. Common moles tend to have borders that are smoother and even.
■ C is for color: Be aware of moles that change color. Common mole characteristics may be a singular shade of brown, but a melanoma lesion can vary in shades of brown, tan or black as it grows, which can later morph into shades of red, white or blue.
“The most important thing about melanoma is early detection. A very early stage, early diagnosed lesion has almost a 99% cure rate. I tell people the best person to diagnose a problem is themselves,” said Dr. Doepker. “Is it changing colors? Is it irregular shaped? Is it getting bigger? Is it evolving? Is it itching? Does it bleed? All these factors should prompt a patient to either seek a dermatologist or a surgical oncologist that specializes in melanoma.”
If melanoma is diagnosed at an early stage, the treatment of choice is to surgically remove it. However, if it’s determined that it has spread to the lymph nodes, a physician may choose to remove the lymph nodes or follow a patient’s progress via ultrasound. If the cancer has spread to other organs, further treatment such as immunotherapy may be prescribed depending upon the patient’s specific need.
Though early detection is crucial in the fight against skin cancer, taking key steps to prevent it from occurring in the first place becomes even more important. Patients who are at most risk for melanoma have a certain phenotype, which means they have fair skin, red hair, or blonde hair, or patients with a previous history of melanoma. Those patients are always placed into a higher risk category, as well as those with a history of prolonged sun exposure and blistering sunburns, especially as a child.
“Perhaps the most common question I get asked is, ‘Do I have to stay inside forever?’ and the answer is no,” said Dr. Doepker. “I simply advise people to practice basic sun safety principles, which include wearing wide brim hats and protective clothing, and applying sunscreen. The most important thing about sunscreen is to reapply it every two hours, especially if you’re spending time in the water. If patients adhere to those principles, they can still enjoy life and they don’t have to hide in their house.”
For more information about melanoma or to schedule an appointment with a Premier Physician Network physician near you, visit PremierHealth.com/MakeAnAppointment.