Melanoma: under the sun, don’t lose sight of your skin

Why does melanoma form?

In some cases, the action of ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun and tanning beds on the cells responsible for skin pigmentation, i.e. melanocytes, can cause a mutation in the DNA of some genes, whose role is cell multiplication. The alteration of this process due to UV rays, therefore, could be at the origin of the malignant tumor that affects the skin, initially manifesting itself as a mole. In reality, melanoma is not the only skin cancer that can be caused by excessive and unprotected exposure to the sun, but it is important to recognize it because it can be very dangerous, even among young people.

Who is at risk more?

We should all expose ourselves to the sun in moderation and with adequate protection , because the damage to the skin of unprotected exposure to the sun spares no one. However, some people have a higher risk, and for this reason they should have more frequent nevus checks. In general, people who are considered more at risk are:

• have light skin, hair and eyes (light phototype)
• had sunburn in childhood and adolescence, and tends to burn in the sun
• have a family history of melanoma, or have personally had skin cancer
• have more than 50 nevi (not including angiomas, fibroids or keratoses)
• is immunosuppressed (low immunity) for various reasons
• used tanning beds.

Studies have shown that the excessive and unprotected use of sunbeds seems to increase the risk of the onset of this skin tumor by 75%.

Pregnancy is also a moment in life in which it is important to pay attention to moles : due to hormonal variations, moles can increase in number and size, and it is important to monitor these changes because in the event of the appearance of a melanoma, the risks for a pregnant woman are greater. Therefore, it is important to check your moles and do not forget to undergo periodic check-ups and screenings.

How can we keep an eye on our moles?

It’s important to periodically self-assess your skin, checking every area well, and getting help for the most hidden ones.

Sometimes melanoma can appear in areas not exposed to the sun, such as the genitals or inside the ears, and therefore it can be difficult to self-evaluate. However, in order not to let our guard down on melanoma, one strategy for self-inspection is to follow the “ABCDE rule”.

In practice, looking at your moles, you must take into account the asymmetry , the irregular edges , the color (several colors in the same mole, or a different color from the other moles), the size (more than 5 millimeters) and above all the evolution ( the mole has changed compared to the past).

What to do if there is a doubt?

In case a mole gives rise to any doubts, it is essential to immediately contact the dermatologist who, thanks to the examination with the dermatoscope, will be able to reassure about the nature of the mole or evaluate immediate surgical removal. Early removal surgery, in fact, is considered the best therapy in the case of melanoma, and often there is no need for other therapy, especially if the patient has become aware of the suspicious nature of a mole in time. However, once removed, to be sure of the tumor nature of the mole, it is necessary to wait for the result of the histological examination. A further possibility is given by the “mapping of the moles”, in which, with the dermatoscope connected to a computer, the dermatologist can memorize all the moles, as in a map, to monitor them over time, comparing them.

What do you recommend to protect the skin from melanoma?

The attention against melanoma never goes on vacation and is not only implemented on vacation, but is applied to every month of the year, even in the city.

• choose the high sun protection that suits your skin type
• apply the protection every 2 hours for the entire duration of exposure to the sun, especially in the presence of reflections such as the sea, sand, snow and ice, both at the sea and in the mountains
• avoid exposing yourself to the sun in the central hours of the day
• have the children wear a sweater and hat
• wear loose, cool cotton clothes and a hat 
• avoid tanning beds