Know the Risk Factors for Malignant Melanoma
A vital point to remember: With malignant melanoma, the earlier you spot the signs, the better your prognosis.
Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH
I Have Malignant Melanoma: What Does It Mean?
If you spotted the warning signs early and sought medical care, that's good news. When malignant melanoma is caught and seen to early, it can be treated and cured almost 100 percent of the time.
If you spotted the warning signs early and sought medical care, that's good news. When malignant melanoma is caught and seen to early, it can be treated and cured almost 100 percent of the time.
But if your malignant melanoma has progressed and wasn’t diagnosed until the later stages, the situation is more concerning. Once the cancer has advanced, it may have metastasized and affected other areas of the body, which makes overall treatment more difficult.
What Malignant Melanoma Looks Like
Malignant melanoma "can be found anywhere on the body, and it is more dangerous than the other types [of skin cancer]. It's the leading cause of death among such skin conditions," says Martin Weinstock, MD, PhD, chairman of the skin cancer advisory committee at the American Cancer Society and professor of dermatology and community health at Brown University in Providence, R.I.
Here are the warning signs of melanoma:Malignant melanoma "can be found anywhere on the body, and it is more dangerous than the other types [of skin cancer]. It's the leading cause of death among such skin conditions," says Martin Weinstock, MD, PhD, chairman of the skin cancer advisory committee at the American Cancer Society and professor of dermatology and community health at Brown University in Providence, R.I.
Melanoma can occur anywhere on the body, but like most skin cancers, it is most common in areas exposed to the most sun. Malignant melanomas are frequently found on the face, legs, arms, and back. But, they can also show up in unexpected places, such as fingernails, palms, and bottoms of the feet.
Who Is at Risk of Malignant Melanoma
Like most skin cancers, melanoma can strike anyone. But some people are more likely than others to develop melanoma.
Like most skin cancers, melanoma can strike anyone. But some people are more likely than others to develop melanoma.
"People who have had a melanoma before, people who have a strong family history of melanoma, and people who have lots of moles are at greatest risk for developing melanoma, says Dr. Weinstock.
Other risk factors include many of those noted for other skin cancer types as well:
But people who have had bad sunburns as children or adolescents — at least one sunburn that was bad enough to cause blistering — are at an increased risk for developing malignant melanoma. Having many moles — more than 50, even healthy ones — advances the risk of developing melanoma.
The Malignant Melanoma Message
To minimize your risk of developing malignant melanoma, the course of action is clear. People should "protect their skin from intense sun and carefully examine their skin once a month to look for any spots that are new or changing," says Weinstock.
To minimize your risk of developing malignant melanoma, the course of action is clear. People should "protect their skin from intense sun and carefully examine their skin once a month to look for any spots that are new or changing," says Weinstock.
So even though the statistics can be frightening, they can also be enlightening. Your best defense is to protect your skin with sunscreen, limit time in the sun, and be diligent about regular skin exams. Spotting melanoma early is the best weapon you have.
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