How Do You Know You Have Melanoma?

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that is very rare but is the most serious of all skin cancers. It primarily occurs on the skin but it can also spread to other organs and even bone.

Risk factors

·     There is a higher risk of getting melanoma if you spend too much time in the sun. Excessive exposure to the sun’s UV rays may cause normal skin cells to become abnormal. When they become abnormal they become uncontrollable and may attack the healthy cells around them.   

·         If your complexion is fair (light-skinned)

·         If there is a history of melanoma in your family

·         If you have a large number of abnormal or irregular moles. The irregular moles may be rough or smooth and can be raised or flat and level with the skin.

Among the early signs of melanoma is the growth of a new mole or skin growth on the skin. The growth then changes color, size or shape. Changes may also occur to an existing mole or any other mark on the skin. You may sometimes think that it is a bruise that is refusing to heal. Melanoma diagnosis involves taking a piece of tissue from the growth and testing it for cancerous cells (biopsy). 

These symptoms of melanoma can occur on any part of the body. They are however more likely to occur on the upper back in both men and women. Women can also have them on the legs. Older men usually have them on the scalp, neck and ears but older people in general have them on the face. In rare occasions the growths or moles may appear in mucous membranes like the rectum, mouth and vagina. They also occur on nail beds, palms and the soles of feet.

Signs of melanoma

Among the first noticeable and significant signs of melanoma is the change that occurs to the moles or skin growths. There is a guideline to help you ‘study’ these changes accordingly. It is known as the ABCDE system.  

·         A stands for asymmetry. You will find that one half of the mole or growth is not exactly like the other half.

·         B refers to border irregularity. Its borders or edges are ragged, blurred or uneven.

·         C is for color. The color of the mole is also uneven.

·         D stands for diameter. The size of the growth is larger than a pencil eraser.

·         E is evolution. Changes in shape, size, color or itchiness and bleeding may occur to the growth.

Signs of melanoma that you should not ignore include swollen lymph nodes (armpit or groin) and a colorless lump under the skin. These indicate melanoma that has spread.  

Just like any cancer handling the early signs of melanoma will pose a higher chance of curing it. Some symptoms of melanoma may be similar to other skin conditions. Melanoma diagnosis is important to either rule it out or confirm it and begin treatment.

Different Moles Indicate Different Conditions

Moles are growths on the skin that may be a little darker in color compared to the skin pigment. They come about as a result of skin cells (known as melanocytes) clustering together as they develop, instead of spreading evenly on the skin. They are a common occurrence in some families since they can be passed on from parents to children. Most moles are harmless and may even stop growing and not cause much difference.

Some moles may spell bad news though. Atypical moles (dysplastic nevi) are an example. They are comprised of many moles (nevi) that are irregularly shaped. The size, color and location may vary but they will be larger than your everyday mole. The color is usually uneven but with a dark brown center and edges that are lighter and uneven. Most people with such moles have more than 20 of them and some have as high as 100 moles.

These are however not termed as cancerous moles (though someone who has a large number of atypical moles is more prone to get melanoma, which is cancer of the skin). But, any changes that occur to them should be carefully noted and reported to a doctor. Melanoma occurs on the skin but may also spread to other parts near the skin and through the blood to other body organs.

Other features of cancerous moles

Even if a mole is not irregularly shaped it does not mean that there is no risk of it being cancerous. Be on the lookout for an itchy mole. These will have you constantly scratching even when you feel there is no specific trigger.     

Sometimes you may have a painful mole. It may just become tender of its own accord and the pain may be easy to ignore at first. The solution you settle for may be to take some pain medication but you need to get it checked by a doctor.

A bleeding mole should not be ignored as well. Even as you wipe the blood figure out how you will contact your doctor because that is not good.  

Cancerous moles may occur at any age but doctors are more concerned with those that appear after the age of 30. A mole that looks different or behaves differently like a bleeding mole, painful mole or an itchy mole should be checked. If a mole was always of a normal shape and size and then changes begin to occur to it like a deepening of the color, a change in size, height or shape you should see your doctor.

For you to see the changes you will have to monitor your moles. You can use a mirror or ask someone to help you look at areas out of your visual range. Those areas that see the sun a lot should get more attention.

Some people just prefer to avoid the trouble of going through their moles every so often so they want them removed. A mole can get removed by a dermatologist for cosmetic reasons as well and not just medical ones. So have a chat with yours if you so desire.