Extremely dangerous type of cancer – melanoma, is it possible to protect yourself?
Have you attached importance to the fact that knowing literally some of the main symptoms of the disease helps prevent serious health problems? This statement holds true for melanoma (skin cancer).
Many diseases have similar symptoms. And in an accelerated pace of life, it can be difficult to distinguish between constant fatigue from lack of sleep or stress and chronic fatigue, as a symptom of a serious illness.
But with melanoma, everything is much simpler. One has only to regularly monitor their moles and note changes in their form. Such simple monitoring can save your life without exaggeration.
What changes moles should alert?
In order to remember what exactly to pay attention to during independent examinations, the doctors suggested a memorable abbreviation: ACORD. Each letter of this abbreviation is taken from five main characteristics: asymmetry, edges, color, size, dynamics.
A mole (nevus) must have symmetrical edges. If it is divided by a conditional line in half, the halves should be the same. Normal edges are smooth, and the color should not change. If any changes have occurred, this should motivate the person to visit the doctor. The most dangerous manifestations are itching, the appearance of redness along the contour, non-uniform color, bleeding or peeling.
Who needs to be especially attentive to their moles?
Doctors based on statistics and research have figured out who is most susceptible to skin cancer. But even if a person is not at risk, it does not mean that he can not monitor the state of his moles. Oncology has not yet been fully studied, so no one can give guarantees.
The occurrence of melanoma is affected by sunlight, namely, ultraviolet radiation. The World Health Organization ranked UV rays as carcinogens, along with smoking and arsenic. Fully hide from the sun will not work, and not necessary. It is necessary to avoid sunlight at the peak of its activity. In the summer it is from 11 to 16 o’clock in the afternoon.
Genetic predisposition to this disease also exists. If you have relatives who have had melanoma, you should be especially careful in monitoring your moles and consult your doctor if you have any changes.
At risk are people with fair skin. This is the so-called first skin phototype. Its peculiarity – the tan is not “taken” at all, the skin just turns red.
You also need to always be on the lookout for those people whose moles are often subject to mechanical stress. Often they are in places where they often come into contact with clothing, shoes or other objects.
It is important to remember!
So, you should be alerted by such changes with the mole:
began to grow rapidly;
began to darken or acquire different colors and shades;
cracked;
lost elasticity;
causes discomfort.
Then you should immediately visit a doctor. Early diagnosis can save lives, but later treatment in most cases ends in death.
