With summer fast approaching, many students are spending time in the sun. When a person does not protect his or herself, they can be at high risk for melanoma, a form of skin cancer.
Many students do not seem to be worrying.
“I have never heard of anyone who has it and I m not too concerned with it. I wear sunscreen on my face only to avoid a sunglass tan line,” said Michael Courtright, a business economics major.
“I don’t practice safe sun habits,” said Christopher Rossetti, an art major. “I like the way that it looks on women and my wife particularly spends a lot of time in the sun.”
According to the National Cancer Institute, melanoma is the most severe form of skin cancer. The cancer can spread to the body, which is nearly impossible to treat. If it is not detected early, it can be fatal. Fortunately, when found early, it can usually be cured.
Melanoma is a malignant tumor that originates in melanocytes. Melanocytes are found in the lower part of the epidermis. It is most common among people with fair skin, but it can occur with people of all ethnic backgrounds. According to the World Health Organization Web site, melanoma is most commonly found in Caucasian populations who live in warm climates. It accounts for 48,000 deaths a year and it is estimated that 160,000 new cases are diagnosed a year.
According to cancer.gov, sun exposure, genetics and the number of moles on the skin is what increases the risk of melanoma.
“In men the most common areas are the trunk, head, neck and arms,” said Michael Carbuto, associate director of the Health and Resource Center. “In women, it is generally found the leg.” It is usually found in adults, but occasionally can develop in children.
The majority of melanomas are black or brown. However, some melanomas are purple, red, pink, or white.
The ABCD rule helps differentiate between a mole and melanoma. According to Carbuto, melanomas are asymetrcial, have a distinct border, tend to be the same color and are usually more than six millimeters wide.
According to the World Health Organization site, most people have between 10 and 30 moles on their body. However, a change in a mole is a huge warning sign that the mole needs to be examined by a physician. Other signs of melanoma include bleeding or scaling. Melanoma may also emerge as a new mole on the body.
People can prevent melanoma by practicing safe-sun habits, such as applying a strong sunblock continuously throughout the day and wearing sunglasses or hats, being aware of the warning signs and getting annual exams by a physician or skin specialist, according to the World Health Organization Web site.
Everyone is at some risk for melanoma, and it is important that they continue to be aware for prevention.
