What does it look like?
What causes it?
Who is at highest risk?
Where does it often appear?
How long does it take to develop?
Is there any way to prevent the disease?

What does it look like?

Melanoma can start as a new, brown or black, flat, freckle-like spot on the skin's outer surface. It can also begin as a change in the shape or colour of an existing mole or coloured spot. Melanomas tend to be dark in colour — browns and blacks — although some are a mixture of colours including red, blue and white. These tumours grow, so the key is to look for changes.

What causes it?

While the full answer still has not been unravelled, what is sure is that excessive sun exposure plays a leading role in the development of this type of skin cancer. Severe, blistering sunburns especially in childhood are thought to play an initiating role. However, recent research shows that sunburns at any time during life can also increase the risk.

Who is at highest risk?

While anybody can get melanoma, fair skinned people who have sun-sensitive skin that burns rather than tans are more likely to get this disease. People with freckles and red hair fall into this group, as do some blonds and those with blue or green eyes. Those with many moles (more than 50), or moles with an unusual colour or shape, or with large moles, have an elevated risk. A close family history of melanoma is another risk factor. Anyone with one of more of these risk factors should have a spot check by a dermatologist — it could prove to be a life-saving visit. People with no risk factors at all may still get melanoma.

Where does it often appear?

It appears most commonly on the backs of men and legs of women. However, it can appear anywhere on the skin surface. While less common in darker skinned people, melanoma usually appears on the palms of hands, soles of feet and nail beds in these people.

How long does it take to develop?

Melanoma can develop within weeks or months or it can be slow growing over several years.

Is there any way to prevent the disease?

Protect young children from the sun. Avoid the sun from 11 am to 4 pm and protect yourself if outside during these times by seeking shade, covering up with clothing and wide brimmed hats. Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30. Apply before you leave the house and reapply regularly, especially during strenuous exercise. Look for the Canadian Dermatology Association logo on sunscreen products to ensure these are safe and effective.

How is this skin cancer treated?

Melanoma is treated with surgical excision to entirely remove the cancerous cells.  If the cancer is shown to have invaded deeply into the skin your dermatologist may advise further treatments such as more skin removal, surgical removal of nearby lymph nodes or chemotherapy.  The decision to pursue more treatment will depend on each patient and the aggressiveness of the melanoma.

The ABCDEs of
malignant melanoma will aid in early detection.

Asymmetry
The shape on one side is different than the other side.

Border
The border of visible edge is irregular, ragged and imprecise.

Colour
There is a colour variation with brown, black, red, grey or white areas within the lesion.

Diameter
The growth of the diameter or width is common in malignant melanomas.

Evolution
There is a change in the size, shape, symptoms (such as itching or tenderness), surface (especially bleeding) or colour.