Melanoma Skin Cancer Awareness
By: Yolanda Scipio-Jackson, BSN, RN
NJIBNA President
Men's Health Committee
There are three main types of skin cancer:
1. Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCCA)
2. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCCA)
3. Melanoma
While melanoma is the less common of the three, it is the most serious. Melanoma can be cured when diagnosed early, however left untreated melanoma can spread to vital organs and lead to death.
Melanoma is a cancer that begins in melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that produce the skin coloring or protective pigment called melanin. Melanin helps protect the deeper layers of the skin from harmful effects of the sun. Melanin in your skin increases when exposed to sunlight causing the skin to darken.
Melanoma is caused by years of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation which causes damage to the cell DNA. The damage to the genes which control how and when cells grow and divide may be affected. When genes do not work the way they should, the affected cells may form a melanoma.
The American Cancer Society’s estimates for melanoma in the United States for 2018 are:
- About 91,270 new melanomas will be diagnosed (about 55,150 in men and 36,120 in women).
- About 9,320 people are expected to die of melanoma (about 5,990 men and 3,330 women).
- The rates of melanoma have been rising for the last 30 years.
Risk for melanoma:
- Family history
- Fair skin with freckles
- Natural blond or red hair
- Skin that sunburns easily
- Year-round exposure to sun
- Use of tanning beds
- Having lots of moles, or large irregularly shaped moles
- Having a condition that lowers your immune system
- Taking medications that make you sensitive to light
The most common form of melanoma diagnosed among Asian and sub-Saharan African ethnic groups is acral lentignous melanoma. This melanoma usually develops:
- on the palms
- soles
- under the nails
- oral mucosa
- on non-hair-bearing surfaces of the body, which may or may not be exposed to sunlight. The average age at diagnosis is between sixty and seventy years.
