What is melanoma?

Melanoma information

As a type of skin cancer, melanoma should be identified and removed early to minimise risk. Whether you’ve been officially diagnosed or not, understanding the symptoms, risks and treatment options for melanoma can give you the knowledge to proceed with confidence and complete clarity.

With years of experience providing advice and assistance to sufferers of skin cancer, we can deliver essential support at this difficult time. Our fully consultative service and skin cancer treatment options have helped many individuals recover and thrive.

Here we share all you need to know about melanoma, including what it is, the risks, and the importance of early identification and full removal.

What causes melanoma?

Affecting the pigment cells or ‘melanocytes’, melanoma is a form of cancer that starts within the skin yet has the potential to spread to other parts of the body.

Melanoma is caused by ultraviolet (UV) light, with excessive exposure to the sun or overuse of sunbeds common culprits. UV light damages the melanocytes, a process that triggers increased growth and division before developing into melanoma.

Who’s at risk?

While lifestyle is a determining factor, some people are more at risk of developing melanoma than others. Those with pale skin, a high concentration of moles and/or a family history of skin cancer are deemed most at risk.

Melanoma is also more common in older people, with more than one quarter of those diagnosed over 75 years of age.

What are the symptoms of melanoma?

Contrary to popular belief, individuals with and without moles are at risk. The earliest sign of melanoma however is the changing of an existing mole or the development of a new skin growth.

These moles are usually brown or black in colour, but can be tan, pink or white. Whatever the colour, moles tend to be uneven (with irregular edges), large in size and subject to further change. They may also bleed or itch, or become swollen or sore.

When should you get checked out?

If you have a mole that has changed or is presenting any of the symptoms mentioned above, you should get it checked. The same applies if you have a new or unusual mark that has been on the skin for three or more weeks. Melanoma can also affect the nail bed, where it will appear as dark patches.

Early detection and intervention are vital as melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer due to the risk of spread. If left to spread to other parts of the body, it is likely to cause serious health problems. If spotted early however, surgery is often the only treatment required for complete removal and recovery.