Melanoma is one of the most dangerous types of skin cancer that affects at least 1 in 7 people over 70 in the country. The Skin Cancer Foundation estimates that melanoma kills at least two people every hour. However, not all the facts about this disease are disheartening. The Skin Cancer Foundation believes that, when detected early, melanoma patients have a very 5-year high survival rate (as high as 99%).

What is melanoma?
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that forms in the melanocytes, which are the pigment-forming skin cells.

How can you detect it?
The most distinctive indication of this type of cancer is a change in the appearance of the skin. However, sometimes, the signs and symptoms of melanoma can also develop in areas of the body that are not visible via the naked eye, like the brain, the inside of the eyes, the digestive tract, or the urinary tract.

What causes melanoma?
While the exact cause of melanoma is not clear, certain risk factors increase an individual’s chances of being affected by this cancer. They include:

1. The presence of a large number of moles, especially dysplastic ones.
2. Being fair-skinned, having light hair or blue or green colored eyes.
3. A family history of melanoma with blood relations being diagnosed with this cancer. Or a personal history of any other skin cancer like basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma.
4. Prolonged exposure to harsh natural sunlight (or artificial tanning booths) in early childhood.

What are the most common signs and symptoms of melanoma? 

1. One of the first changes in the body caused by skin cancer or melanoma is a modification or distortion of an existing mole. Pay attention to any changes in their appearance, size, and color.
2. Even the sudden formation of abnormally shaped new moles can signify the presence of cancer cells in the skin. So, be observant, and keep track of any new spot, lump, or mole on the skin.
3. The presence of a mole with asymmetric or uneven borders, inconsistent coloring, and one that continually increases in size can lead to melanoma diagnosis.
4. Be extra careful if this new lump or mole on your skin changes colors from shades of brown or black to even pink, red, white, or blue.
5. Moles can change their texture too, and turn itchy, scaly, form crusts, and bleed if the underlying cause for this change is melanoma.
6. Make sure you consult a doctor if the mole bulges and turns into a bump or a lump and does not heal for a long time.

It is not uncommon to have new moles, spots, or freckles on the skin as a person gets older. Still, it is best to consult a medical specialist when skin lesions become troublesome and evolve continuously. These could be superficial infections, benign skin tumors, or sometimes even melanoma. Doctors believe that an early diagnosis of skin cancer helps increase treatment options, makes them more effective, and maybe even pave the way for a complete cure.