{"id":1623,"date":"2020-06-18T11:56:28","date_gmt":"2020-06-18T11:56:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.blog.kayawell.com\/?p=1623"},"modified":"2020-06-24T04:49:22","modified_gmt":"2020-06-24T04:49:22","slug":"melanoma-symptoms-causes-and-prevention-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/melanoma-symptoms-causes-and-prevention-tips","title":{"rendered":"Melanoma-Symptoms, Causes and Prevention Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Overview<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Melanoma,\nthe most severe form of skin cancer, grows in melanin-producing cells\n(melanocytes)\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthe pigment that gives the skin its colour. Melanoma can also\ngrow within your eyes and, sometimes, within your body, including in your nose\nor neck. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The exact\ncause of all melanomas is not clear, but the risk of developing melanoma is\nincreased by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) sunlight radiation or tanning lamps\nand beds. Limiting your UV radiation exposure will help reduce your melanoma\nrisk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The risk of\nmelanoma in people under 40, particularly women, appears to be growing.\nUnderstanding the warning signs of skin cancer can help to detect and treat cancerous\nchanges before the cancer has spread. Melanoma can be successfully treated if\ndiagnosed early. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\r\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\r\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\r\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/melanoma-symptoms-causes-and-prevention-tips\/#Symptoms\" title=\"Symptoms\">Symptoms<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/melanoma-symptoms-causes-and-prevention-tips\/#When_to_see_a_doctor\" title=\"When to see a doctor\">When to see a doctor<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/melanoma-symptoms-causes-and-prevention-tips\/#Causes\" title=\"Causes\">Causes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/melanoma-symptoms-causes-and-prevention-tips\/#Risk_factors\" title=\"Risk factors\">Risk factors<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/melanoma-symptoms-causes-and-prevention-tips\/#Prevention\" title=\"Prevention\">Prevention<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Symptoms\"><\/span>Symptoms<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You can grow\nmelanomas anywhere on your body. They grow more frequently in places that have\nbeen exposed to the such as your back, hands, arms and face. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Melanomas\ncan also occur in areas, such as feet sole, hand palms, and fingernail beds,\nthat do not receive much exposure to the sun. These hidden melanomas in darker\nskinned men are more common. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first\nmelanoma signs and symptoms often are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>A change in an existing mole<\/li><li>The development of a new\npigmented or unusual-looking growth on your skin<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Melanoma\ndoesn&#8217;t always begin as a mole. It can also occur on otherwise normal-appearing\nskin<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_to_see_a_doctor\"><\/span>When to see a doctor<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Make an\nappointment with your doctor if you notice any skin changes that seem unusual<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Causes\"><\/span>Causes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Melanoma\noccurs when something goes wrong in the melanin-producing cells (melanocytes)\nthat give color to your skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Skin cells\nusually grow in a regulated and organized way \u00e2\u20ac\u201d healthy new cells drive older\ncells toward the surface of your skin, where they die and gradually fall off.\nSo, when those cells cause damage to DNA, new cells can start to grow out of\ncontrol and ultimately form a mass of cancerous cells. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just what\ndamages DNA in skin cells and how this leads to melanoma isn&#8217;t clear. It&#8217;s\nlikely that a combination of factors, including environmental and genetic\nfactors, causes melanoma. Still, doctors believe exposure to ultraviolet (UV)\nradiation from the sun and tanning lamps and beds is the leading cause of\nmelanoma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>UV light\ndoes not cause all the melanomas, especially those that occur in places on your\nbody that do not receive sunlight exposure. This indicates other factors may\ncontribute to the melanoma risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Risk_factors\"><\/span>Risk factors<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Factors that\nmay increase your risk of melanoma include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Fair skin:<\/strong> More\npigment (melanin) in your skin means you have less protection against harmful\nUV radiation. When you have blond or red hair, light-colored skin, and easily\nfreckles or sunburns, melanoma is more likely to grow than those with a darker\ncomplexion. But in people with darker complexions, like Hispanic people and\nBlack people, melanoma can develop.<\/li><li><strong>A history of\nsunburn:<\/strong> One or more severe, blistering sunburns can\nincrease your risk of melanoma.<\/li><li><strong>Excessive\nultraviolet (UV) light exposure:<\/strong> Exposure to UV radiation from\nthe sun and tanning lamps and beds can increase skin cancer risk like melanoma.<\/li><li><strong>Living closer\nto the equator or at a higher elevation:<\/strong> People\nliving close to the equator of the Planet, where the rays of the Sun are more\nintense, receive higher levels of UV radiation than people living further north\nor south. Additionally, you&#8217;re exposed to more UV radiation if you live at a\nhigh elevation. <\/li><li><strong>Having many\nmoles or unusual moles:<\/strong> Having more than 50 common moles\non your body suggests a higher risk of melanoma. Finding an odd mole type\nraises melanoma risk, too. Medically known as dysplastic nevi, these appear to\nbe larger than average moles with irregular boundaries and a combination of\ncolors.<\/li><li><strong>A family\nhistory of melanoma:<\/strong> If a close relative \u00e2\u20ac\u201d such as a\nparent, child or sibling \u00e2\u20ac\u201d has had melanoma, you have a greater chance of\ndeveloping a melanoma, too.<\/li><li><strong>Weakened\nimmune system:<\/strong> The risk of melanoma and other skin cancers\nis increased for people with compromised immune systems. If you are taking\nmedication to suppress the immune system, such as after an organ transplant, or\nif you have a disease that impairs the immune system, such as AIDS, the immune\nsystem can become impaired.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Prevention\"><\/span>Prevention<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you: You\nwill reduce the risk of melanoma and other skin cancer forms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Avoid the\nsun during the middle of the day:<\/strong> For many North American people,\nthe sun&#8217;s rays are highest from around 10 a.m. And, at 4 p.m. For other periods\nof the day, plan outdoor activities, sometimes in winter or when the weather is\ngloomy.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You absorb\nUV radiation all year round, and clouds have no protection against harmful\nrays. Avoiding the best sun helps you avoid the sunburns and sunburns that\ncause skin damage and increase the skin cancer risk. Accumulated sun exposure\nover time can also cause skin cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Wear\nsunscreen year-round:<\/strong> Using a widescreen sunscreen of\nat least 30 SPE, also on rainy days. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply\nevery two hours \u00e2\u20ac\u201d or more regularly, if you swim or suck. <\/li><li><strong>Avoid\ntanning lamps and beds:<\/strong> Tanning lamps and beds can emit\nUV rays, which can increase the risk of skin cancer.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Become\nfamiliar with your skin so that you&#8217;ll notice changes. Also check the skin for\nnew growths of skin or improvements of existing moles, freckles, bumps and\nbirthmarks. Check your face, arms, ears and scalp, using mirrors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Wear\nprotective clothing:<\/strong> Protect your skin with dark,\ntightly knit clothes covering your arms and legs, and a wide-brimmed hat\noffering more protection than a baseball cap or viewfinder does. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Examine the\ntops and undersides of your arms and hands and your shoulders and neck. Examine\nyour legs and feet both at the front and back, including the soles and gaps\nbetween the toes. Check the genital region and between the buttocks too.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Overview Melanoma, the most severe form of skin cancer, grows in melanin-producing cells (melanocytes)\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthe pigment that gives the skin its colour. Melanoma can also grow within your eyes and, sometimes, within your body, including in your nose or neck. The exact cause of all melanomas is not clear, but the risk of developing melanoma is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1627,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1623","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-healthcare"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1623","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1623"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1623\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1627"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1623"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1623"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1623"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}