What is Melanoma, and how to avoid it?
Melanoma is the most invasive and serious type of skin cancer. It develops in melanin-producing cells (melanocytes) of your skin. Melanin is the pigment that gives our skin its color.
It is one of the common cancers in people under 30, especially in young females. Although the exact cause of developing melanoma is not clear, frequent exposure to UV (ultraviolet) radiation of the sun increases your risk of developing melanomas.
UV exposure can also occur with tanning beds and UV lamps, thus increasing the risk for melanoma.
Melanomas can occur anywhere in the body, however, they are often seen in areas that are commonly exposed to the sun, such as your arms, legs, face, and back.
Melanomas can occur as a development of new pigmented or unusual-looking growth on the skin or as a change in an existing mole. They are usually asymmetrical in shape with an irregular, rugged border. Most are brown or black in color. Melanomas usually increase in size and are evolving in nature.
The melanoma cure rate is around 99% if detected and treated early. It can be fatal if not treated on time.
5 Different types of Melanoma
Superficial spreading melanoma – This is very common and grows on the surface of your skin for some time before penetrating deeper.
Lentigo Maligna – It often develops in older people. Here the melanoma spreads beyond the original site.
Acral lentiginous melanoma – This is common in dark-skinned individuals. They can be seen under the nails, soles of feet, and palms of hands.
Nodular melanoma – This is the most aggressive form. It usually appears as a bump on the skin, blue-black in color.
Amelanotic melanoma – they have little or no color.
Stage 0 (Melanoma in situ): The melanoma is only in the epidermis of the skin (top layer).
Stage I: Low-risk primary melanoma without any evidence of spread. This stage is usually curable with surgery.
Stage II: Features are present which indicate a higher risk of recurrence but without any evidence of spread.
Stage III: The melanoma has spread to nearby skin or lymph nodes.
Stage IV: The melanoma has spread to more distant skin, distant lymph nodes, or has spread to internal organs.
How Is Melanoma Treated?
Surgery is the treatment of choice for early-stage melanomas. If it is spread to nearby lymph nodes, they are also removed surgically. Other treatment for advanced melanomas includes chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. However, prevention is better than cure.
Best Ways to Protect Yourself from Melanoma
Melanoma is not preventable always. However, you can reduce your risk of developing melanoma by protecting yourself from excessive sun exposure. Most people get sunburned during summer while doing outdoor activities like sunbathing, playing, and gardening. You must be very careful especially if you have pale skin with many moles.
Avoid Sun ExposureÂ
You will need to protect yourself from the damaging impact of sun exposure. By doing so, you will extensively reduce the potential risk of skin cancer. Avoid sun especially between 10 am - 4 pm. Sun is strongest during that time.
As many of you know, Vitamin D can be obtained from sunlight. However, aim to strike a balance between getting enough vitamin D from the sun and protecting yourself from its harmful UV rays.
Apply Sunscreen Effectively
Use a broad-spectrum sunblock with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 or more. SPF30+ sunscreens offer protection from both UVA and UVB radiation. Apply 30 minutes prior and just before going out.Â
Apply sunscreen to areas not protected by your clothing such as your face, ears, back of hands, and feet. Apply it enough for better protection. Reapply often and liberally (every 1 ½ to 2 hours) and more frequently if you are sweating or swimming. You need to wear sunscreen even on cloudy days. Do not forget to apply sunscreen on young children and babies older than 6 months of age.
Wear Protective Clothing
Do not rely on sunscreen alone to guard yourself against the sun. Wear suitable clothing and spend more time in the shade especially when the sun is at its strongest. When going outside, protect yourself with UPF 50+ clothing. Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long-legged pants, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat for complete sun protection.
Healthy Diet
Your diet may protect you against many cancers. According to the American Cancer Society, eating a plant-based diet can prevent you from all cancers when compared with people eating animal-based diets. A healthy diet can protect your immune system. A strong immune system will fight against many diseases including cancer.
Avoid Tanning
There is no healthy way or a safe way to get a tan so avoid sun beds and sun lamps for tanning. Getting a tan will increase the risk of getting skin damage from the harmful UV rays of the sun.
Regular Checkups
Check your skin regularly for any changes. It can help with an early diagnosis. This will increase your chances of successful treatment.
To summarize whether you are planning a day out at the beach, packing your bags for the most-awaited summer vacation, gardening, or just walking – you must protect yourself from the sun. Dress sensibly in the sun. And don’t forget those annual medical checks
Outdoors Tribe has a wide range of UV protective hats and clothing such as hoodies and long-sleeved shirts, which has UPF 50+ protection. This protection is much higher than that of regular clothing. Check out our website www.outdoorstribe.com for more details.
References
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/melanoma/symptoms-causes/syc-20374884
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/melanoma/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374888
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14391-melanoma
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/sunscreen-and-sun-safety/
https://www.cancer.gov/types/skin/melanoma-photos