World Melanoma Month

Published by Julia Sen on May 9, 2021

May 2021 is the world’s first Melanoma Month.

Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer and the UK’s 5th most common cancer with 16,000 new cases and 2,300 deaths every year. Alarmingly the numbers are growing despite 86% being preventable. By practicing sun safety and conducting regular skin checks you can reduce the risk to yourself and your family. Melanoma is a cancer of melanocytes, the cells which produce melanin pigment. Melanin absorbs UV light to protect the skin from sunburn, usually resulting from ultraviolet (UV) radiation damage from sunlight or sunbeds.

Melanoma can be cured if diagnosed and treated before it has had the opportunity to spread to other parts of the body. Treatment usually involves surgical removal of the lesion and an area of normal-looking skin around it to ensure any microscopic deposits are also removed. If it has already spread before this has been done, cure may not be possible. Further surgery to remove secondary deposits and some recently developed medical treatments known as immunotherapy help to slow the disease progression, rather than cure melanoma once it has spread to other organs (metastasis).

You are at higher risk of melanoma if you have:

Pale skin which burns easily, because there is little protective melanin to absorb harmful UV.

Experienced severe sunburn in childhood

A family history of melanoma

Had a previous melanoma

A large dark mole or birthmark (giant congenital mole)

A suppressed immune system (due to illness or medication)

Used sunbeds (if you were under 30 years old your risk goes up by 75%!)

What to look out for:

A new brown or black lesion appearing on the skin

Change in the appearance of an existing mole – darkening, depigmentation (lightening) or red patches

A new pink or reddish lump without pigmentation (uncommon).

Prevention

Cover up with clothing, sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat.

Avoid direct sun exposure between 10am and 4pm.

Broad spectrum sunscreen with minimum 30 SPF daily (even in winter). I recommend iS Clinical Eclipse 50+.

Don’t forget – if you are using sunblock you may need to discuss Vitamin D supplementation with your GP.

Check your skin every month using the ABCDE system (British Association of Dermatologists):

Asymmetry – the two halves may differ in shape.

Border – irregular or blurred or notched.

Colour – uneven, with different shades of black, brown and pink.

Diameter- most melanomas are at least 6mm across. Report any change in size or shape.

Expert – if in doubt, check it out! See your GP. You may be referred to a Dermatologist for expert diagnosis and treatment.

If you have concerns and would like a private consultation with Consultant Dermatologist, Dr Sonal Singh at the Midland Aesthetic Clinic, BHI Parkside, Bromsgrove, complete the form below, email hello@drjuliasen.co.uk, call or text 07548 964367.

Stay sun safe!

Love Julia x