DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I’m writing to alert your readers to malignant melanoma. I lost my husband to it last year. He had what looked like a mole, but it was growing. I was concerned and begged him to see a doctor. He put it off. Finally, he did see a dermatologist, but by that time, it had spread throughout his body. I am left to raise three children. He was 49. People need to be aware of this cancer. — R.R.
A: Melanoma is the most dangerous skin cancer, but when caught in its early stages, it can be curable. It’s the fifth most common male cancer and the sixth most common female cancer. One in 63 Americans will develop it, and the cancer arises most often in the late 40s and in the 50s.
Although melanomas can arise in skin not exposed to the sun, the sun’s ultraviolet rays are a major risk for developing this cancer. It’s not so much cumulative life exposure to sun, but intense, early-life exposure that caused sunburn. Blue- and green-eyed people, blondes and redheads are more apt to develop melanoma. People with large numbers of moles — more than 50 — are also at risk, as are people with a family history of melanoma.
Distinguishing a mole from a melanoma can be tricky and, if a person is in doubt, a doctor should make the call. In contrast to a mole, melanomas are not symmetrical. If, in your mind, you fold one in half, the two halves don’t correspond. Melanomas have irregular borders. They might have one predominant color — brown or black — but mixed in are blues and reds. Most melanomas are larger than a pencil eraser. Melanomas enlarge and are usually elevated above the skin surface.
Everyone should be on guard for this cancer. Any suspicious skin patch ought to bring a person to the doctor for an official interpretation.
I am terribly sorry to learn of your husband’s untimely death.
c. North America Syndicate
