If you spot melanoma and get it removed early, before it penetrates under the skin, your chance of a cure is close to 100%.
If the melanoma has spread horizontally (i.e., over the surface of the skin), the prognosis is still very good so long as it hasn't penetrated deep under the skin. There are different types of melanoma, but the type is less important to your prospects than the thickness and the degree of penetration.
The way to treat melanoma treatment is to have surgery to remove it as early as possible. This can be quite simple and painless in the early stages, not much worse than removing a wart. If the cancer has spread across the skin, surgery might leave a mark. Even fairly deep melanoma is potentially quite curable if it hasn't affected other organs.
Chemotherapy, radiation, or biological (immunotherapy) therapies may also be recommended depending on the severity and degree of melanoma diagnosed.
Preventing melanoma is all about avoiding too much sun. Sunburns are worst, but even excessive tanning increases the risk of melanoma dramatically. You should always wear plenty of sunscreen (sun protection factor [SPF] 30 or higher) if out in the bright sunshine and reapply it as often as directed. If possible, stay out of the sun when the ultraviolet exposure is at its maximum (i.e., between 10 am and 4 pm). Another recommendation is to wear protective clothing. This means clothing that covers the arms and legs, plus a wide-brimmed hat. Similarly, you shouldalways wear sunglasses that provide protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Remember that UV light can also penetrate clouds, so you should take precautions on cloudy days too.
Everyone should avoid tanning beds, as these also increase your risk of melanoma.
We also need to protect kids from the sun. Many kids develop a deep tan every summer and their parents assume that if they're not sunburned there's no problem. Children's skin is always more vulnerable, and these tans add up to a higher risk of skin cancer in later life.
To help detect melanoma early, everyone should perform regular skin self-exams looking for any new or changed moles or skin lesions. If any suspicious areas are found, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible for further assessment.
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