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The Truth About Melanoma
By Mike Bruner

If you're like most Americans these days, you worry more about getting a good tan than contracting skin cancer. You walk past the sunscreen at your local convenience store in order to get to the dark tanning oil because skin cancer is rare. Only people who live in warm climates and are exposed to the sun all year round have to worry about it. Right?

Wrong. In reality, everyone should be concerned. Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is responsible for 7,700 deaths annually in the U.S and 47,000 Americans will be diagnosed with the disease this year, according to the American Cancer Society. Although it usually strikes adults, it can also be found in children.

Despite being an aggressive form of cancer, melanoma is potentially curable when diagnosed early. The two most important factors that affect a person's chances for survival are the thickness of the melanoma and whether or not it has spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body. Generally, the thicker the melanoma, the greater the risk of spreading. As long as the melanoma can be detected early while it's small and before it has spread, the chances of a person suffering from a potentially fatal case of widespread melanoma in the next five years are only 10%-20%. However, if the melanoma has spread to the lymph nodes and beyond, the chances increase dramatically to 50-60%.* This is why early diagnosis is so important.

ARE YOU AT RISK?

The American Cancer Society reveals that people who are most at risk to develop the disease are those who have continued exposure to ultraviolet radiation; a fair complexion; multiple or atypical moles; family history of skin cancer or exposure to coal tar, pitch, creosote, arsenic compounds or radium.

Once again, early diagnosis is essential. The American Cancer Society suggests that adults examine their skin for changes on a regular basis. Some common signs or symptoms of skin cancer include changes in size, color, or sensation of a mole, bump, or other growth. If you notice any of these symptoms, you are strongly encouraged to see a doctor immediately.

If the doctor suspects that a spot on your skin is melanoma, you will need to have a biopsy to make a definite diagnosis. This procedure involves removing as much of the suspicious-looking growth as possible. If the growth is too large to be removed entirely, the doctor removes a tissue sample instead. A biopsy can usually be done in the doctor's office using a local anesthetic. A pathologist then examines the tissue under a microscope to check for cancer cells.

STAGES
(According to CANCERNET)

Once melanoma is identified, your doctor needs to learn the extent, or stage, of the disease before deciding on treatment.

Stage 0: Abnormal cells are found only in the outer layer of skin cells and do not invade deeper tissues.

Stage I: Cancer is found in the outer layer of the skin (epidermis) and/or the upper part of the inner layer of skin (dermis), but it has not spread to nearby lymph nodes.

Stage II: It has spread to the lower part of the inner layer of skin (dermis), but not into the tissue below the skin or into nearby lymph nodes.

Stage III: The tumor may have spread to lower layers of the skin, may have additional tumor growths within 1 inch of the original tumor (satellite tumors), may have spread to surrounding lymph nodes, and may be actively spreading to nearby areas of the body.

Stage IV: The tumor has spread to other organs or to lymph nodes far away from the original tumor.

Recurrent: Recurrent disease means the cancer has returned after it has been treated. It may come back in the original location or other parts of the body.

PROTECT YOURSELF

Physically …

Of course the best way to battle melanoma is to practice prevention. The American Cancer Society recommends avoiding ultraviolet rays during the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., when they are strongest. This can be best accomplished by wearing protective clothing, such as hats that shade the face, neck, and ears, and shirts and pants that cover as much skin as possible. Also, sunscreen with a solar protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher should be used whenever skin will be exposed to ultraviolet rays for long periods of time.

*www.sunbeltmelanomatrial.com, 4/01.

- Last Updated 9/28/03 -