If you have been diagnosed with melanoma cancer, you are not alone. Many people have similar experiences and have sought help from a variety of health providers. Fortunately, newer treatment options are now available for patients, including immunotherapy and targeted therapies. You can speak with your healthcare provider about your treatment options, and become an advocate for your health. Here are some resources to help you cope. A support group can help you cope with melanoma.
Your doctor will probably start by examining your skin for signs of melanoma. A physical exam may include questions about your general health and checking for suspicious moles. Your physician will also look at any lymph nodes to determine whether they are swollen or have cancerous cells. Your physician may also recommend a biopsy. The type of biopsy you receive depends on your symptoms. If you have any new skin symptoms, you should contact your doctor immediately. While melanoma can return up to 10 years after it has been treated, it can be prevented by avoiding exposure to the sun and using sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.
The treatment for melanoma depends on its stage. Early stage cancers can be treated with surgery. Surgeons remove the cancer cells and small amounts of healthy skin surrounding the tumor. Later stages may also benefit from radiation therapy or immunotherapy. Surgery is the most common treatment for melanoma cancer. It’s important to remember that most melanoma cancers are curable, but some may spread and require surgery or other treatment methods.
The main cause of melanoma is exposure to the UV rays of the sun. UV rays cause DNA damage to skin cells, which can result in a cancerous growth. The damage to DNA in skin cells is not understood, but it is believed to be a result of repeated exposure to UV rays. Exposure to UV radiation is one of the leading causes of melanoma.
The best way to protect your skin against melanoma is to avoid the sun. This is the simplest way to protect your skin from this deadly disease. Getting enough vitamin D is important, since it is necessary to keep your skin healthy and prevent melanoma from developing. Too much vitamin D may increase the risk of melanoma cancer. In fact, some experts think that the more sun you expose your skin, the greater your risk of getting the disease.
Non-melanoma skin cancers include actinic keratoses, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, and sarcoma. Most of these types of skin cancers are easy to identify and treat. Those who regularly sunbathe should pay special attention to their skin. Checking for abnormalities in these areas can help you identify the early stage of melanoma and save your life.
