- 90% or more of melanoma is caused by ultraviolet radiation, either from the sun or tanning salons
- Melanoma is epidemic! Rising faster than any other cancer, it currently affects 1 in 75 people. It is expected to affect 1 in 50 by 2010. In 1935, it only affected 1 in 1500.
- This year 59,940 Americans will be diagnosed with the disease.
- Melanoma is the most common cancer in women ages 25-29 and second only to breast cancer in women 30-34.
- Melanoma happens almost equally between the sexes.
- The death rate from melanoma in men is almost twice that of women. This is due to late detection.
- The majority of your sun exposure occurs between birth and age 18.
- Exposure to tanning lamps and beds before age 35 increases melanoma risk by 75%.
- Early detection survival rate is nearly 99%.
THE ABCDEs OF MALIGNANT MELANOMA RECOGNITION
What does malignant melanoma look like? When examining a skin growth, certain warning signs may signal the presence of this serious malignancy. These are the easily remembered as the ABCDs:
"A" stands for ASYMMETRY. In other words, one part of the growth is different from other parts of the same lesion. Ordinary moles are round and symmetrical.
"B" stands for BORDER IRREGULARITY. As is the case with many cancers, melanomas are characterized by uneven growth rates which result in both asymmetry and irregular borders. Ordinary moles have smooth even borders.
"C" stands for COLOR CHANGES. Common moles usually have a fairly uniform color, most being brown or black. Melanomas are often shades of brown, black, red, white, and blue.
"D" stands for DIAMETER. Any lesion that demonstrates the above ABCs and whose size is equal to or greater than the size of a pencil eraser should be examined by an experienced health care professional.
"E" stands for ELEVATION Over time, most melanomas will become raised. It's better to recognize this cancer before elevation has taken place.
On occasion, a very early signal that a mole is becoming cancerous is the sensation of itching. "I" stands for ITCH. Any itchy mole merits a trip to the dermatologist immediately.
Malignant melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer, but early recognition saves lives! Any mole that enlarges, changes in color, or begins to itch should be viewed with suspicion and evaluated by a physician experienced in skin cancer recognition.
CAUGHT EARLY, MALIGNANT MELANOMA IS A CURABLE DISEASE!
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