When most people hear their doctor say the word 'cancer', they know that it's a serious health issue and will be difficult to handle. While non-melanoma cancer is not quite as serious as other types, it can still lead to severe consequences. Melanoma skin cancer on the other hand will lead to fatalities if no treatment has been applied early enough in the process.
Knowing what melanoma skin cancer is, being aware of it, and learning the ways to prevent it from developing are important for your health. Each year and all around the world, millions of people are affected by melanoma. Therefore, if you are outside in the sun frequently, you should learn as much as you can about melanoma since you are at a greater risk.
What is it?
Melanoma starts in skin cells known as melanocytes and is the most deadly type of skin cancer. A skin tumor is often the first symptom of melanoma. You will either see hemangiomas or benign skin tumors disguised as moles developed from melanocytes. Hermangiomas are cancerous blood vessel growths that are frequently referred to as port wine stains or strawberry pots due to their color being red.
New moles are always a warning sign of skin cancer, but you should keep an eye on the ones already on your body to see if they are changing. If you see any change in color or size, then you should see your doctor as soon as possible.
What Can I do to Prevent it?
Preventing melanoma can be done by taking precautions. You might have been told a time or two to apply sunscreen if you are going to be outside in the sun for quite some time. Doing so goes a long way toward preventing skin cancer.
Unfortunately, many people don't think about possibly getting skin cancer or are simply too lazy to do so. However, if everyone was aware of the potential dangers that come with not properly protecting your skin from the sun, most people would take precautions. Applying sun screen while out on hot, sunny days is very simple and takes only a matter of minutes. Even when it's cloudy outdoors, the sun still gets through so you should use sunscreen then as well.
Anything that will protect your skin from the sun will make all the difference in the world. Sure, even then there are no guarantees, but you will decrease your chances of getting melanoma significantly.
