Blog

Melanoma

There are concerns that the recent TikTok trend glamourising suntanning and encouraging sunburn, in order to get tan lines or remove acne, could lead to increased cases of melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer.

Australia already has one of the highest melanoma rates in the world, with one person diagnosed with melanoma every half an hour and nearly 2,000 Australians expected to die in 2025 from the deadly disease.

In this month’s blog, we take a closer look at melanoma and how it can best be prevented.

What is melanoma?

Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. It develops in the skin’s pigment cells, known as melanocytes. Melanocytes are the cells that give your skin its colour, by producing a brown pigment called melanin.

When melanocytes combine together, they form a mole. Sometimes the melanocytes in a mole can begin to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way and become a melanoma. If left untreated, the melanoma can grow very quickly and spread to other parts of the body.

Risk factors

It’s no surprise that Australia has one of the highest rates of melanoma in the world, given that exposure to UV rays is one of the highest risk factors for developing the disease. In fact, according to the Cancer Council of WA, sun exposure is the cause of around 95% of all melanoma skin cancers in Australia.

You are most at risk of developing skin cancer if you have:

  • Fair skin that burns easily and does not tan.
  • Blue or green eyes and/or fair or red hair.
  • A history of tanning or sunburn, especially during childhood and adolescence.
  • Spent your childhood in Australia.
  • A large number of freckles or moles.
  • A family or personal history of skin cancer.
  • Used a solarium.
  • Worked or spent a lot of leisure time in the sun.

Males and those aged 50 and over are also more likely to develop melanoma.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of melanoma include:

  • A spot that is different from other spots on the skin.
  • A spot, mole or freckle that has changed in size, shape or colour.
  • A sore that doesn’t heal.
  • A spot that itches or bleeds.
  • A spot that is painful or swollen.

Moles that have features of the ABCDE rule below are also a symptom of melanoma:

  • Asymmetry – where, if divided down the middle, the 2 halves of the spot are NOT a mirror image.
  • Border – spots with uneven borders and irregular edges.
  • Colour – spots with an unusual or uneven colour, including differing shades of brown or black, sometimes with patches of red, white, or blue.
  • Diameter – spots that are wider than 6mm.
  • Evolving – where a spot or lesion has changed in size, shape, colour or texture over time.
Source: Melanoma Institute of Australia

Prevention

Being sun smart and knowing your own skin is the most effective way to prevent melanoma. This includes:

  1. Wearing protective clothing.
  2. Applying water-resistant SPF30 or higher sunscreen, at least 20 minutes before going outside and reapplying every two hours.
  3. Wearing a broad-brimmed, bucket, or legionnaire-style hat.
  4. Reducing outdoor time, particularly during the hottest part of the day, and staying in the shade when outdoors.
  5. Wearing sunglasses that comply with Australian and New Zealand standards.
  6. Becoming familiar with your own skin and undertaking regular 12-monthly skin checks, either through self-monitoring or by your GP or dermatologist.

Not following dangerous TikTok trends is another good way to help prevent the disease!

Treatment

If you are diagnosed with melanoma, your treatment will depend on which stage the disease is at.

The most common treatment for those with early-stage melanoma (i.e. Stage 0, I or II) is surgery. If caught early enough, surgery can cure 90% of melanomas without additional treatment being required.

Those who are diagnosed with advanced melanoma (i.e. Stage III or IV) may require a combination of different treatments, including surgery, drug therapy, and radiation.

Get your skin checked at IMC

Illawarra Medical Centre offers a comprehensive range of dermatology services, including skin cancer checks, mole screening and general dermatology screenings.

Our very own Dr Dhruva Ramachandra, has an interest and vast experience in this area and runs regular skin cancer and dermatology checks at our practice on Tuesday mornings.

To make an appointment for one of these clinics, contact our Reception on (08) 9208 6400.

Please be aware that these appointments require a longer appointment, so you must notify our Reception when you are booking in for a skin check.

To make a booking with any of our GPs to discuss any skin concerns you may have, visit our Online Bookings page or contact us on (08) 9208 6400.

For further information on this topic, visit: