Melanoma: Prevention and Early Diagnosis

For those that don't know about melanoma, it is the most serious form of skin cancer. Melanoma can be treated successfully if they are caught in an early stage.

Most melanomas start in the pigment cells that produce the skins color. They can also be found in the eye and rarely in the soft membranes of the body, such as the nasal passages or in the mouth. About 70% of melanomas begin in or near an existing mole or dark spot on the skin. Some birthmarks can also develop into melanomas.

If melanomas are not detected at an early stage, they can spread to other parts of the body and can be a potentially lethal form of cancer. It is important to inspect your body for new moles or spots and for any existing ones that have changed in color or size.

An ordinary mole is even in color and has defined edges. They can be round or oval in shape. They can be raised or flat and are less than 1/4 inch in diameter. Melanomas have an irregular appearance and are usually larger than an ordinary mole. A sudden or continuous change in the appearance of a mole is a sign that you need to see a doctor. There is a rule, called the ABCD Rule, that will aid in the inspection of moles. These are as follows:

A - Asymmetry- One half is different from the other.

B - Border Irregularity- The edges are uneven, blurred or notched.

C - Color- The color is uneven. There may be some shades of brown, tan and black.

D - Diameter- The diameter is greater than 1/4 inch, which can be compared the width of a pencil eraser.Some other warning signs that you may have a melanoma are the color spreading into the surrounding area, redness or swelling beyond the mole, tenderness, itching, pain, bleeding, or if the mole appears to have a bump or nodule on it. If you see any of these during a self exam you need to see a doctor for further testing.

When you see the doctor, he may do a skin biopsy of the mole or spot. This is a sample taken to be tested. There are different methods that are used based on the size and location of the suspected area. These are:

Punch Biopsy - There is a special tool that the doctor will use that rotates and cuts through the layers of skin to get the sample.