Health
Melanoma/Skin Cancer
Detection and Prevention Month
T
he UAE is known for its
searing temperatures. This
does not mean that life stops.
Most residents hop into airconditioned vehicles, try to score
underground parking or try to park
as close as possible to the venue
when they go out. Additionally, most
buildings are properly air-conditioned,
so there is minimum sun exposure for
many. However, there are times when
we have no choice but to bear the heat.
Also, most beach lovers, hopefully
covered in UV blocking sunscreen will
still brave the heat for an afternoon by
the sea.
The month of May is observed as
Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and
Prevention Month. www.skincancer.
org defines skin cancer as “… the
uncontrolled growth of abnormal
skin cells. It occurs when unrepaired
DNA damage to skin cells (most often
caused by ultraviolet radiation from
sunshine or tanning beds) triggers
mutations, or genetic defects, that
lead the skin cells to multiply rapidly
and form malignant tumours.”
Melanoma is the most dangerous form
of skin cancer. It is caused mainly by
intense, occasional UV exposure that
usually leads to sunburn, especially
in persons who are genetically
predisposed to the disease. It results
in cancerous growths that develop
on unrepaired DNA damage to skin
cells. Unrepaired damage can be from
the effect of ultraviolet radiation from
sunshine or tanning beds. This triggers
mutations that lead the skin cells to
multiply rapidly and form malignant
tumours. These malignant tumours
originate in the pigment-producing
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melanocytes in the basal layer of the
epidermis. Melanomas often resemble
moles; some develop from moles.
Melanoma can be skin-coloured, pink,
red, purple, blue or white. The majority
of Melanomas tend to be black or
brown. It is important to note that
Melanoma kills thousands of people
annually.
What can you do?
Examine your skin each month (head
to toe) for any unusual or suspicious
lesions. Be on the look out for new
moles or growth. Anyone who has had
over 100 moles may be at a greater
risk. Also check out existing growths
that begin to grow more or change
significantly in other ways. Pay very
keen attention to lesions that change,
itch, bleed, or don’t heal, as these
could be alarm signals. Know what
you are looking for. There are also
non-melanoma skin cancers such as
squamous cell carcinoma and basal
cell carcinoma.
Protect Your Skin
• Protect yourself by reducing the
time that you spend in the sun. Stay
in the shade as much as possible
during peak temperatures (10:00am
- 4:00pm).
• Avoid getting sunburn.
• Cover up! Wear protective clothing
that includes a broad rimmed hat,
Shayla/guthra and UV-blocking
sunglasses.
• Apply sunscreen to your entire body
30 minutes before going outside
(Recommended amount 1 ounce/2
tbsps.). Re-apply every 2 hours or
immediately after swimming or
After The Bell
excessive sweating. Use a broad
(UV/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of
15 or higher everyday. For extended
outdoor activities, use waterresistant, broad-spectrum (UV/UVB)
sunscreen with SPF of 30 or higher.
• Stay away from tanning and UV
tanning booths.
• Keep new-borns out of the sun and
remember to use sunscreen on
babies that are 6 months old and
older.
• See your physician each year for a
professional skin exam.
Physicians have developed two
specific strategies for early recognition
of the disease; these are ABCDEs and
the Ugly Duckling sign. The ABCDEs
refer to asymmetry (A), border
irregularity (B), colour variability (C),
diameter greater than 6 mm (D), and
evolution or change (E).
An irregularly pigmented mole that
looks different from other irregularly
pigmented moles in the same person,
referred to as an “ugly duckling”,
has been associated with malignant
melanoma. Both the ABCDEs and
Ugly Duckling Concept have been
widely debated by physicians as to
their shortcomings. Most agree that
these methods are extremely useful in
diagnosing Melanoma.
An irregularly pigmented mole that
looks different from other irregularly
pigmented moles in the same person,
referred to as an “ugly duckling”,
has been associated with malignant
melanoma. Both the ABCDEs and Ugly
Duckling Concept have been widely
debated by physicians as to their
shortcomings. Most agree that these
methods are extremely useful during
examinations.
Good & the Great news
The good news is that once detected
and treated early, Melanoma is almost
always curable. If not, the cancer can
spread to other parts of the body
where it may become more difficult to
treat and can be fatal. The great news
is protecting against sun damage
means protecting yourself against
Melanoma. Protect yourself!
Source:
http://www.skincancer.org/skincancer-information/melanoma