Melanoma, in its early stages, is almost always curable by
surgical removal but many do not take the time to seek medical
attention or just dismiss unusual marks on the skin as “nothing
serious.” Without early detection, skin cancers are prone to
spreading, requiring more radical and invasive treatment, with less
likelihood for a complete recovery.
Men over the age of 50 should allow their medical doctor to screen for
skin cancer during their annual check-up or should see a dermatologist
on a regular basis. Spouses or caretakers should also be on the
lookout for unusual shaped moles or other skin lesions that may
indicate a potentially serious problem.
Luckily, for older women, recent studies point to the fact that those
in their menopausal years may be less likely to develop melanoma.
It is believed that hormonal changes occurring in a woman’s body during
the ages of 45-60 help protect them from this deadly disease.
Nonetheless, no matter what age you may be, spending excessive time in
the sun is the major cause of a large majority of skin cancers, so it’s
never too early to avoid overexposure to the sun. As a matter of
fact, a recent large-scale study conducted at a German university noted
that those who’ve experienced several sunburns during the course of
their lives, no matter at what age, have a significantly higher
incidence of melanoma later in life.
As with any kind of cancer, early detection is the key. Be sure
to perform monthly skin cancer screenings on your own skin (or have
someone help you) and schedule annual physicals to insure overall good
health.
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