As spring turns to summer and warm weather brings more people outside, skin cancer may become a distant concern at best. But experts said it was important to take the risks seriously.
The ultraviolet rays in sunlight are a major risk factor for skin cancer, and one in five Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetime. This includes the most deadly type of melanoma.about 100,000 people have been diagnosed Melanoma occurs every year in the United States, and approximately 8,000 people die from melanoma each year. According to the American Cancer Society.
Fortunately, there are simple ways to reduce risk and detect possible cases early, while they are most curable. Therapies approved in the past 15 years have also transformed melanoma treatment, extending and improving the lives of patients, even in late-stage cases.
Here’s what you need to know about melanoma, its treatment, and how to protect yourself.
What is melanoma?
Melanoma is a cancer that usually begins in skin cells known as melanocytes, which make skin pigment. Compared to more common skin cancers that start in squamous or basal cells, melanoma is more likely to spread to other parts of the body.
“There’s some really, really aggressive behavior and biology behind it,” says Dr. Michael Davis, chief of melanoma medical oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Most melanomas appear as flat or slightly raised dark-colored patches on skin frequently exposed to ultraviolet light, such as the scalp, face, arms, back, and legs (unless you have previously been exposed to the sun). It can also occur in areas that have never been before), too). In a small number of cases, growths appear as dark or red bumps and can grow into the skin, making them more difficult to detect.
Lentigo, a less common malignant melanoma, primarily affects older people with heavy sun exposure and often appears as abnormally shaped tan or brown spots on the head and neck. An even rarer type, called acral lentiginous melanoma, occurs on the hands and feet (particularly the soles, palms, fingers, toes, or nail beds) and accounts for half of melanoma cases in people who are not fair-skinned. occupies more than that. (Musician Bob Marley died from this type of melanoma At first it was mistaken for a bruise. )
Melanoma can also develop in the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and throat, but these cases are rare.
Who is at risk? And can melanoma be prevented?
Melanoma is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. One of the main dangers is exposure to UV rays, such as from the sun or indoor tanning.a History of severe blistering sunburn Risk may increase. The same is true if you live near the equator or at higher altitudes where the sun’s rays are more intense.
The best way to reduce risk is to avoid unnecessary UV exposure. The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so limit your time outside during those hours. Wear protective clothing and glasses, and regularly apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
Dr. Shanti Shivendran, medical oncologist and senior vice president of the American Cancer Society, also said: tanning lamp and bed, significantly increases the risk of melanoma. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 20 states and the District of Columbia have banned the use of tanning beds by minors, in part because of this concern. However, six states (Alaska, Colorado, Iowa, Montana, New Mexico, and South Dakota) do not restrict them from doing so.
People with pale skin are more susceptible to damage from UV rays. But Dr. Shivendran said that doesn’t mean people with darker skin don’t need to be cautious. “You can get melanoma regardless of your skin color,” she says.
It’s also important to know if melanoma runs in your family, which may increase your risk. People with weakened immune systems are also more likely to develop melanoma. About half of cases occur in people over age 66, but younger people can develop melanoma as well.
How can melanoma be detected?
It is extremely important to detect melanoma early. all cases Those that have not spread to other parts of the body can be cured. However, once the disease reaches the lymph nodes or more distant organs, the five-year survival rate drops significantly.
There is There are no standard guidelines It is used to screen for skin cancer, but your doctor can also test for skin abnormalities during your annual physical exam. Dr. Kelly Nelson, a dermatologist at MD Anderson Cancer Center, also recommends that patients perform their own dermatology visits regularly. Head-to-toe self-examination.
Dr. Nelson said that to recognize changes in your skin, it helps to be familiar with them. “People who are more aware of what the skin on their back looks like… Less likely to die from melanoma than someone who knows nothing at all. ”
“There’s a fine line between having some skin awareness and not worrying that every mole on your body is a ticking time bomb,” she added.
Dermatologists suggest checking the “ABCDE” to distinguish melanoma from normal moles and inflammation. That is, spots such as asymmetric shapes, jagged or wavy borders, unusual color patterns, spots larger than 6 millimeters in diameter, or spots that have evolved over a long period of time. time.
But in practice, Dr. Nelson said, patients often have a hard time making these distinctions. She advised looking out for “ugly ducklings,” meaning something noticeably abnormal for some reason.
How is melanoma treated?
For cancer that has not spread, doctors may remove the tumor along with a margin of surrounding skin. Doctors may also take a biopsy of nearby lymph nodes to assess the risk that the cancer will spread and help doctors decide whether further treatment is needed.
Although melanoma is more likely to be fatal when it reaches distant parts of the body, significant advances in treatment have improved the prognosis even for those whose cancer is not detected early.
These include treatments that use the immune system to fight tumors and targeted therapies that attack cancer cells directly.
More innovations are on the way. In February, the Food and Drug Administration Approved first cancer treatment using tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, known as TIL therapy, is used for melanoma that has not responded to other treatments. And scientists are also testing vaccines that are tailored to the specific genetic makeup of a patient’s cancer. Late stage clinical trial.
