Melanoma is one of the most common types of skin cancer and occurs when pigment cells begin to grow abnormally, a decisive influence have taken too much sun during childhood. Sunbathing wisely and avoid UV lamps for cosmetic purposes, key in prevention.
One of every three cancers diagnosed is skin. Malignant tumors of the skin are the most common that people suffer, especially basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, but also, although less common, melanoma. In particular, melanoma is a tumor that is found in the skin and its main feature is that if spreads, entails extremely serious and can be fatal in many patients.
The incidence of melanoma is on the increase in recent decades. Although early diagnosis enables the detection of more cases in early stages, yet the numbers of deaths from the disease are also on the rise.It is estimated that the incidence of melanoma is 5 cases per 100,000 population.
Risk factors
Anyone can suffer from skin cancer, but the risk is increased if it meets one or more of the following conditions:
- People with low skin types, light skin, light eyes and blond or red hair to burn easily and tan difficulty.
- Existence of family history of skin cancer and personal history.
- Presence of multiple moles on the body.
- Children and teenagers are the main group of risk of exposure, the characteristics of your skin and the difficulty of adequately controlling the occurrence of sunburn.
- Persons who have submitted, especially during childhood or adolescence, repeated and violent sunstroke or sunburn or have had intermittent but intense sun exposure own people just sunbathe during the holidays. The effect of solar radiation is cumulative.
- Professions doing outdoor activities with daily sun exposure (workers in the construction sector, farmers, fishermen, etc.)
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Self-examination
The technique is simple and usually takes about 15 minutes.Undress completely and carefully examine your skin, starting with the scalp, not to mention behind the ears, with the help of another person and if the hair is abundant, with the help of a dryer. Then explore areas see simple: face, sides and anterior neck, breast (in women under the breasts), stomach, arms and hands, legs and feet, without excluding the soles of the feet, armpits, or the inguinal region. With the help of mirrors or other person must explore the neck, shoulders, back, buttocks, genitals…
Dangerous moles
For detection of hazardous lunar there is international mnemonic ABCDE is visually easy to understand:
- Asymmetry of injuries or lesions not round or oval shapes
- Irregular edges or extensions
- Changes color
- Changes diameter lesion (enlarged)
- Expression of symptoms: itching or bleeding from the lesion
If it detects a new injury or old skin, wound as shown without trauma, crust or wart, growing and not just heal or a mole or spot irregular, blackish or not, that grows, changes shape, itches, bleeds or ulcers … see your dermatologist as soon as possible.
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Tips for protecting our skin from the sun
- Acquire tan slowly and progressively, and avoid sun exposure between 12h and 16h.
- Carry shirt, hat and clothing with capability to filter sunlight when doing outdoor activities.
- Use sunscreens(lotions, sun milks …) always tailored to your skin type and sun exposure conditions.
- Correctly apply the protector: spread a generous amount for all areas of the body, and reapply the sunscreen every two hours and, especially, after each bath.
Most melanomas are diagnosed in early stages, when they are still curable, which is why experts recommend prevention and early diagnosis, which is the best way to avoid aggressive treatments and save lives.
For any abnormality, consult a dermatologist.