InHealth: May is Melanoma Awareness Month

By Emily F. Arsenault, MD, FAAD | May 2021

Aggressive malignant melanoma is on the rise. In the past decade alone, the number of new cases of this deadly skin cancer increased by an incredible 44%. That’s over 200,000 people diagnosed every single year! So what is melanoma and how do you protect yourself from this aggressive form of skin cancer that claims the lives of thousands of people each year?

What is malignant melanoma?

Melanoma is a skin cancer that arises from melanocytes, which are a normal part of everyone’s skin. Melanocytes are the normal cells that give your skin its color. A combination of the genes you inherit, as well as your exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, can create a perfect storm where a normal melanocyte changes into a deadly cancer. While fair-skinned people are at highest risk, even skin that rarely sees the light of day—such as inside the eye are possible sources. Unfortunately, everyone is at risk for this deadly disease.

What’s the first step in protecting against this skin cancer? 

Wear your sun protection! Floridians are at especially high risk because our sun exposure is a significant factor. Sun damage plays the largest role in all skin cancers, not just melanoma. And the fairer your skin, the easier it is for the sun to get past the melanocytes and into the cell’s nucleus. Once the DNA inside the nucleus is corrupted, the cell can permanently change into a skin cancer cell. So your first line of defense is to make it harder for these rays to penetrate.

Fortunately, you have options. Layering these options together greatly increases the protective effects. Wear sun-protective hats, clothing and suncreens with a UPF 50+ rating. Sunscreens that contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide effectively block both UVA and UVB rays and are well-tolerated. Seeking shade and reapplying sunscreen every 90 minutes is key.

What else can I do to avoid melanoma?

Protecting yourself from the sun while outdoors is just the beginning. Leading experts also recommend a combination of monthly self-skin checks and regular visits to your dermatologist for a comprehensive examination. Self-checks can be performed at home. Look out for new or changing moles. Since diagnosing melanoma in its earliest stage can mean the difference between life and death, one of the best recommendations is to see your dermatologist on a regular basis.

How can my dermatologist help keep me protected?

Dermatologists are well-trained, experienced and can discover small, subtle signs of the early disease that most patients may miss at home. Techniques such as tracking the size and shape of moles over long periods of time (think years), examining the skin closely using a handheld magnifying device called a dermatoscope, and taking a small sample of your mole (biopsy) to be examined under a microscope work all together to provide the best safety net modern medicine can provide. 

While the number of malignant melanoma cases are on the rise, protecting your skin and getting frequent checks can dramatically reduce your risk of dying from this extremely dangerous skin cancer. By combining a robust sun protection plan along with self-skin checks and regular full-body skin exams by your dermatologist, you can greatly reduce your risk and more safely enjoy our amazing Florida lifestyle! 

Arsenault Dermatology
Emily F. Arsenault, MD, FAAD
8926 77th Terrace East, Unit 101
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 
941.907.0222 
www.arsenaultdermatology.com