Malignant Melanoma: The Silent Killer

Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation can lead to melanoma. Melanoma is a type of cancer of the pigment of the skin, in which one type of cell grows without limit disrupting and replacing normal tissues and their functions. Doctors recommend to avoid sun exposure from 10:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. when the sun is the strongest. Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen, one that blocks both types of ultraviolet light (UVA and UVB), and reapply sunblock every two hours and wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and tightly-woven clothing that will block ultraviolet light.

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According to studies, Melanoma begins on the surface of the skin. Although it is fatal, if detected early, it can be easy to treat.  However, if given time to grow, melanoma can spread to the blood and lymphatic vessels and spread throughout the rest of the organs. In some cases, melanoma is inherited or as a result of excessive years of sun-exposure, however, doctors are still not certain that this is true in all cases. Who is at risk for developing melanoma?  Those people who are fair-skinned and burn easily have a higher risk. In addition, those with a lot of irregular moles are also at risk.It is a good idea to check your body for any moles or irregular lesions. If you find anything strange on your skin, then it would be a good idea to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist and have a medical examination. The best treatment is early detection. Once your doctor has checked out the lesion, he or she can perform a biopsy and examine the area under a microscope. If melanoma is detected, then treatment must follow immediately. As I mentioned before, if left untreated the melanoma can grow deeper in the skin and is more likely to produce a life-threatening situation.

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For those sun-worshipers, avoid tanning salons. According to recent studies, the ultraviolet radiation use in these equipments may cause melanoma.