Melanoma Risk Increases as You Get Older

We believe that episodes of severe sunburn in childhood increases the risk for skin cancer. But older adults have the greatest risk of developing melanoma. And the risk is greater still in men, partly because they’re reluctant to do the monthly skin self-examination that’s recommended.

At your monthly self-exam, examine your skin from head to toe. Men should look especially between the shoulders and hips, and on the head and neck, while women should examine carefully the lower legs. Don’t forget melanoma can also occur under the finger- and toenails, and on the palms or soles of the feet. Under the nails they appear as a brown- or black-colored streak, and are often mistaken (at first) as a bruise to the nail.

Melanomas are very dangerous. While they account for only 4% of all skin cancers, they cause the most skin-cancer deaths. If you have a mole, remember that “ABCD” changes can suggest a change to a melanoma, requiring treatment:

A – Asymmetry, so that one half of a mole is different from another

B – Border irregularity, so that the edge is ragged, notched, or blurred

C – Color: a single mole should be only one color, not multicolored

D – Diameter should be less than 6 mm (a pencil eraser), but if it itches of bleeds, see the dermatologist, even if it’s smaller than 6 mm.

Prevention is better than cure, of course. Stay in the shade, wear sun-screen, a broad-brimmed hat, UV sunglasses, and long sleeves and pants. And don’t tan!