New technique holds promise for melanoma patients: Know how to deal with this condition

New technique that improves on existing methods for assessing risk of melanoma recurrence after surgical removal developed. But you need to be alert too.

There is good news for patients of skin cancer. Thanks to a new study at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, there may soon be a new melanoma test that will be able to better predict recurrence and improve patient care. Researchers have developed this new technique that improves on the current method for assessing whether primary melanoma is likely to recur and spread, following surgical removal. Nature Cancer published this study.

Most people first suspect melanoma when they see changes in the appearance of a pigmented spot like a mole or freckle. Though a primary melanoma can be cured through surgical removal, in some cases the lesion recurs and spreads. Unfortunately, there has been no major changes in the field of lesion analysis in the last hundred years. This puts patients at risk of recurrence at a disadvantage. But now, the new developments will lead to better patient care.

A treatable condition

Early stage melanoma is a treatable condition. But the problem with this disease is detecting it early. Usually, a diagnosis is made only after the cancer has progressed. A cure is difficult once the diseases has progressed. Hence, an early detection is essential for a favourable outcome from treatment. Be alert to any changes in the size of a mole or any changes on your skin. Consult your doctor to rule out this condition. Early detection can lead to a cure.

What you can do

You can bring down your risk of melanoma significantly by taking a few precautions besides being alert to any changes on your skin surface. Avoid excessive sun exposure. If you spend a lot of time in the sun, wear protective clothing. Nowadays, you can buy sun-block shirts. You can try these out. Always use sunscreen and re-apply every 8 hours.

Know the ABCDE method of detecting skin cancer
You can use the ABCDE method to determine if a mole or freckle may be melanoma. This is what you need to look out for.

A: Asymmetrical: Healthy moles are symmetrical and cancerous ones are asymmetrical. Just draw a line through the middle of your mole to see if there is any asymmetry.

B: Border: If the border of your mole is ragged, raised or notched, it may be cancerous.

C: change in colour: All healthy freckle and mole have uniform colour. If there is any color variation, it may be because of cancer. Look out for different shades of tan, red, brown, blue, white and black.

D: diameter: If your mole is bigger than 6 millimeters, it may be cancerous.

E: evolving: Keep an eye out for any new moles and marks on your body. Also check to see if there are any changes in the colour or size of existing moles.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     
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5 things you need to know about melanoma

In a recent study researchers have outlined five important points about malignant skin cancer called  melanoma.

The study highlighted the following five points about melanoma: 

Sun exposure is an important factor in the development of melanoma, so it often appears on the face, neck, arms and torso, where sun exposure is common.

Melanoma can also occur on areas with minimal sun exposure, such as palms and soles of the feet.
A specific mitogen-activated pathway is linked to mutations causing melanoma and genomic sequencing helps in identifying markers for diagnosis and treatment.

About 10 per cent of melanomas are challenging to diagnose as they may be pink, red, clear or normal skin-coloured.

Patients with any suspicious skin lesions should be referred to dermatology. Coloured lesions with any of the ABCDE criteria -- Asymmetric shape, irregular Border, Colour variation, Diameter greater than 6 mm (about the size of a pencil eraser) and Evolution (change) -- should be considered suspicious.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                    PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/    

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Here's *exactly* how to work out if you have sun damage, according to a top dermatologist

This isn't my story, but as reported by the person concerned.

A few years ago, when on holiday in Spain, I fell asleep face down on an inflatable pineapple. I drifted around the pool for hours, while the sun had its wicked way with me. I woke to outrageously sore skin all the way down my back and legs, while later developed to reveal the perfect outline of the bow of the bikini I had been wearing, burnt into my back. The whole of my back was so scorched, I couldn't sit down without sharply inhaling for the rest of the holiday.

It's a story that many of us will be familiar with. While we may look back and laugh at our stupidity, it also raises the question of what may be the lasting damage of those inopportune naps in the midday sun, or the times we slathered on the tanning-oil, or booked in for a session on the sunbed.

We called upon a Consultant Dermatologist  to talk all things sun damage ahead of your next summer jaunt...

What are the different signs of sun damage?

According to dermatologist, sun damage comes in many different forms. "Some of the different signs and symptoms of sun damage are age spots, uneven pigmentation, melasma [brown or grey patches of skin], freckles, moles, wrinkles, fine lines, skin laxity, spider veins and tanning are all signs of damage," she explains. 

While the list may seem extensive, especially to include a tan as a sign of sun damage, but ultimately a tan means that the skin has been exposed to too much UV, which stimulates an increase of melanin (the dark pigment that gives the appearance of a tan) in an attempt to prevent any further damage.

Can you still have sun damage even if you don't burn?

"It's important to realise that sun damage can still occur without creating a noticeable sunburn," explains the Dr. 

Apparently, how easily a person will burn depends on where they fall on the Fitzpatrick skin type scale, which categorises people into six skin types. A person with skin type 1 is the palest, has blue or grey eyes, blonde or red hair, freckles and who always burns in the sun. 

A person with skin type 6 is the darkest, with brownish black eyes, black hair and who never burns. "Depending on your Fitzpatrick skin type, the amount of time you can spend in the sun without burning will vary."

What are the warning signs when it comes to moles?

According to the Dr., the easiest thing to remember when it comes to moles is the ABCD rule. "Asymmetry, border, colour, diameter," she says.

The warning signs according to this rule would be an asymmetric mole where the two halves of the area differ in shape, an irregular or blurred border, an uneven colour (different shades of black, brown and pink may be seen), over 6mm in diameter or a change in size. "If in doubt, always check with an expert," adds the Dr.

Can you ever be exposed to sun safely?

Dr. recommends applying a high factor SPF50 with good UVA protection (look for UVA shield or 5* on the bottle) every day to exposed skin- especially face, chest and hands.

However she warns that applying a sunblock doesn’t mean it’s safe to stay out all day; "Applying a sunscreen can extend the amount of time before you burn, but this time depends on the SPF- but be warned that most people will only apply 25% of sunscreen that is required to achieve the SPF on the label- this means a 25% application of a factor 50 gives you roughly 7 times your burn time- so if you burn in 10 minutes, you will have roughly 70 min before burning."

To avoid burning, she recommends reapplying every 2 hours - not forgetting commonly missed areas such as ears!

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                    PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/    

                                                                                                                                                     FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                  https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/  

         

                   FOR CROCHET DESIGNS                                                                                                                                                                                                  https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com  

HOW TO RECOGNISE IF A MOLE IS CANCEROUS OR NOT?

When assessing skin moles there are 4 guidelines you can follow, the ABCD of skin cancer.
ABCD stands for: asymmetry, border, color and diameter. Memorize these words and learn how to look for them.
First look for Asymmetry: If one side of the mole does not match the other and it has an uneven shape, be sure to have a doctor look at it.
Next, border: See if the edges of the mole are blurred, pigmented and look like the mole is out of its "imaginary outline". If this is the case, it might be cancer and you need to have a doctor examine it.
Then color: If a mole is uneven in color and has many shades of black, brown, red or other colors, it is a clear sign that something might be wrong with it.
And finally, diameter: Keep track and see if any moles you have show an increase in size and shape. Typically, melanomas are at least 6mm in diameter, about the same as a pencil.
Apart from the A.B.C.D rules, also be on the lookout for any moles that grow higher and become elevated and ones that become firm.
Remember this information and give yourself regular checkups, go see a doctor if you find anything suspicious.
Early detection can save your life and the lives of your loved ones. 

 this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.                                                                                                             https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations                                   https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes                 https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement