What is a melanoma?
Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that can be cured if it is removed in the early stages.
What are the risk factors for melanoma?
Several medical studies have shown that the following groups of people are at a higher risk of developing melanoma:
- Light eyes, light skin or light hair
- Excessive sun exposure in the past especially during childhood and early adulthood
- Many freckles
- More than 50 moles
- Previous sun burns
- Previous sun bed use
- Family members who have had a melanoma
What can I do to reduce my chance of developing melanoma?
It is important to take sensible precautions about the sun, and to avoid burning at all costs and to keep tanning to a minimum. More advice on sun protection can be obtained here.
What should I do if I think I have a melanoma or if I want to get my moles checked?
If you have any moles that look irregular, or that are changing in size, shape or colour, or if you would like a head-to-toe check of all your moles by an expert, then arrange to see one of our expert consultant Dermatologist.
What is the treatment for melanoma?
The treatment is surgical excision of the melanoma and of a safety margin of normal skin around the melanoma . In some cases sentinel lymph node biopsy can be done at the time of diagnosis to see if the melanoma has spread to the lymph nodes. If melanoma has spread, then surgical excision of the metastasis is performed if possible. Alternatively, chemotherapy treatments may be used for metastatic melanoma.
What is the outlook for someone who has had melanoma?
The prognosis (outlook) after a melanoma is dependent on how early or late the melanoma was at diagnosis. Early melanomas are said to be thin, that is, they only affect the top layers of the skin. If the depth (known as the Breslow thickness) is less than 1mm, then 90-95% of melanoamas cured. If the melanoma is 4mm or deeper, then the cure rate is 45-60%.