MELANOMA IS THE FIFTH MOST COMMON MALIGNANCY among both men and women, and, regrettably, the incidence of this potentially deadly skin cancer is on the rise. According to David Brown, MD, of The Toledo Clinic Cancer Centers, exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation—UVA and UVB—is far and away the leading cause of melanoma.
Many people in the general population are aware of the link between sunlight and skin cancer, but what they may not know is that the timing and pattern of sun exposure are especially important with respect to melanoma. “It’s not clear why, but melanoma is associated with intense, intermittent sun exposure as well as exposure early in life, whereas chronic sun exposure is more commonly associated with non-melanoma skin cancers,” says Dr. Brown, who is also a melanoma survivor. “Individuals who experience five or more sunburns in childhood or adolescence are at two-fold greater risk of developing melanoma. Parents need to be aware of this and take proactive measures to protect their children.”
Other people who are at increased risk of melanoma include individuals with fair skin and red hair as well as those with an inherited susceptibility to melanoma. In fact, about 10 percent of people with melanoma have a family history of the disease. It’s also important to be aware that tanning bed use is associated with higher melanoma risk and, therefore, should not be considered a safer alternative to natural sunlight, Dr. Brown says.
Melanoma, which begins in pigment- producing cells called melanocytes, is considered the most serious form of skin cancer due to its biological propensity to metastasize, or spread beyond the primary site. The good news is, when identified and treated (i.e., surgically removed) early, melanoma is usually curable.
Furthermore, with the advent of immunotherapy, people with advanced cases of melanoma are living much longer today than was possible in the past. Such is the case with President Jimmy Carter, whose metastatic melanoma has been treated successfully with immunotherapy for many years. “In my 40 years doing this, metastasis used to be considered a hopeless situation. Now, immunotherapy has dramatically increased survival for patients with advanced melanoma,” Dr. Brown states.
Of course, when it comes to melanoma or any form of cancer, prevention is preferable to early detection and treatment—and that means protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Dr. Brown recommends a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF (sun-protection factor) of 15 for everyday use and an SPF of at least 30 for periods of intense sun exposure. How effective is sunscreen? Dr. Brown notes, “An Australian trial involving 1,600 people looked at two different groups, one that used sunscreen and one that didn’t, and found a 50 percent decrease in the incidence of melanoma in the participants who used sunscreen.”
In addition to sunscreen use, Dr. Brown advises wearing a hat, sunglasses, and sun-protective clothing when spending time in the sun. “Tightly woven fabrics and dark colors confer the greatest sun protection, and you can buy clothing that has an SPF ranging anywhere from 15 to 50,” he says. Also, keep in mind that the midday hours of 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. are worst in terms of sun intensity, so it’s best to limit outdoor activities during that period.
Identification of melanoma demands the trained eye of a medical professional and biopsy of the lesion, but everyone can do their part for early detection by monitoring their own skin for suspicious growths. You may need to have a significant other check hard-to-see areas, such as the back. “Any freckle that is irregular, raised, or becomes dark needs to be brought to your doctor’s attention and followed,” says Dr. Brown.
The Toledo Clinic Cancer Centers, located at 1200 Medical Center Parkway in Maumee and 4126 N. Holland Sylvania Road, Suite 105 in Toledo, also provides imaging, laboratory, chemotherapy, specialized pharmacy, and IV services. The cancer center consists of 13 physicians and 11 advanced practice providers. The cancer center also has satellite centers in Napoleon, Bowling Green, Wauseon, Bellevue, and Monroe.
The Toledo Clinic Cancer Centers has earned Patient-Centered Specialty Practice recognition and Oncology Medical Home recognition from the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Oncology homes align systems and resources with coordinated care focused on cancer patients and their needs. This reduces fragmentation, supports shared decision making, and improves the patient experience. They are the first oncology practice in the state of Michigan and the second oncology practice in the state of Ohio to receive this recognition.
For more information, please call The Toledo Clinic Cancer Centers at 419-479-5605. ✲
