Melanoma is a very serious form of skin cancer, one that can be life-threatening. But many people don’t have a good grasp on what the disease is and why it’s so important to work to prevent and identify skin cancer.
Scott A. deVilleneuve, MD, believes that information is power, and he’s happy to shed some light on the common myths and facts about melanoma. If you’re even in need of a professional skin check, our team at Surgical Associates of North Texas is here to help.
So let’s cover some common beliefs about this harmful form of skin cancer.
Many people believe that skin cancer is not as dangerous as other forms of cancer. This may be because some forms of skin cancer, like basal cell cancer, are easily treatable and do not often cause serious health issues.
But melanoma is different. It’s a more aggressive form of skin cancer that can be challenging to treat. It can also be deadly.
Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that develops when something triggers changes in the DNA within your skin cells.
DNA works like an instruction manual for your cells, directing them on when and how to replicate and mutate. Melanoma tells your skin cells to multiply at an abnormally fast rate, creating a mass called a tumor.
That tumor can invade other tissues within your body. The cancer cells can also break free from and move to other areas of the body to create new forms of cancer. This is known as metastasizing, and it’s very dangerous.
It’s true that many cases of melanoma create a clear set of visible symptoms. These include changes in existing moles, such as an increase in size, abnormal borders, or changes in color. Melanoma can also appear as a new lesion or spot on the skin and isn’t always tied to moles.
But there are some forms of melanoma that you can’t easily detect with the naked eye. These are sometimes called hidden melanomas. They might be located in places you don’t normally check, like between your toes or on your scalp.
Melanoma can also develop in your eye or beneath a nail.
Researchers know that melanoma is connected to exposure to ultraviolet light, just like all other forms of skin cancer. If you’ve had blistering sunburns (peeling) in the past, your risk of developing melanoma is higher than someone who has stayed out of the sun.
There are many things you can do to limit your exposure to ultraviolet rays. Begin by wearing a high-quality sunscreen each day, including on cloudy days and days when you don’t plan to spend much time outdoors. Reapply every few hours if you’re outside.
It’s true that people with darker skin have a higher degree of natural protection from ultraviolet rays. But that doesn’t mean you can ignore sun protection just because you have more melanin in your skin.
Anyone can develop melanoma. And research shows that Black people are often diagnosed at later stages of skin cancer. Researchers theorize this is because they don’t come in for professional skin cancer exams as frequently and the early signs of skin cancer aren’t always as easy to detect on darker skin.
Incorporating daily sun protection into your routines is an effective way to reduce your risk of developing skin cancer. But you should also make professional screenings part of your ongoing health routines.
Having a professional check you from head to toe for signs of skin cancer is the best way to catch changes during the earliest possible timeframe, when treatment is often most effective.
Skin cancer screening is fast and simple, and the results become part of your permanent health history. If you’re ready to schedule your visit, we’re standing by to help you find a time that works for you. Just give us a call or try our online booking tool.
Our team at Surgical Associates of North Texas is an outstanding resource for the residents of McKinney, Texas. We are proud to offer state-of-the-art treatment for melanoma and many other skin issues.
