Unrepaired DNA damages skin cells triggering mutations, causing skin cells
to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumors. Curable if detected early,
but each year in the U.S. ~10,000 people die of this type of cancer.
In the lower epidermis, melanocytes produce melanin, the pigment that gives
skin its color. Exposed to the sun, melanocyes make more pigment causing skin to
darken.
Causes of melanoma skin cancer
Excessive UV-B
exposure from sunlight causes all three skin cancer types.
Excessive UV-A
exposure from sunlight. Now known to cause damage to proteins
and lipids and DNA lesions by indirect (and possibly direct mechanisms), leading
to carcinogenesis (Including cutaneous malignant melanoma) and aging skin.
Link
Symptoms of melanoma skin cancer
These are the signs to look for when examining tumors,
which may indicate melanoma:
Asymmetrical: a line drawn
through the middle of a tumor produces relatively similar halves;
Border: irregular or jagged,
not smooth or ragged
Multicolored: A combination
of colors is usual, one color tumors are probably OK
Diameter > 1/4 inch:
non-malignant skin cancers tend to be smaller
Evolving: Changes in elevation,
size, color, crusting, bleeding, itching, or anything else
DISCLAIMER: The content on this website is intended for
informational, and educational purposes only and not as a substitute
for the medical advice, treatment or diagnosis of a licensed health
professional. The author of this website is a researcher, not a
health professional, and shall in no event be held liable to any
party for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, punitive or
other damages arising from any use of the content of this website.
Any references to health benefits of specifically named products
on this site are this website author's sole opinion and are not
approved or supported by their manufacturers or distributors.
(2) ELIMINATE
