Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun is the basis to avoid this dangerous pathology. Moles are a group of pigmented cells, the vast majority of which are benign. They are of different sizes, colors and shapes. A person can usually have between ten and forty.
The problem is that they have the ability to cause the dreaded skin cancer called malignant melanoma that can be very aggressive and potentially deadly.
One of the most simple ones that can be adopted is self-examination:
Look at your body in front and behind your back in front of a mirror. Look under the arms, forearms, hands and palms. Examine behind the legs and feet, look at the plants and between the fingers. Separating the hair, look behind the neck with a hand mirror. Look at your ears. With the hand mirror, investigate your back and buttocks.
In any of these situations it is advisable to visit the dermatologist for a more detailed evaluation of the suspicious pigmented lesion:
- Color changes
- More is done boy or larger
- Changes in shape, texture or height
- The surface skin becomes dry or scaly
- It becomes hard or feels lumpy
- It starts to itch
- Bleeding or exuding
The "ABCDE" rule describes the characteristics of melanoma in an initial state:
- Asymmetry . The shape of one half is not the same as the other half.
- Irregular border . The edges are often uneven, notched or blurred around it. The pigment may spread to the surrounding skin.
- Color uneven . Shades of black, brown and tan may be present. You can also see white, gray, red, pink or blue areas.
- Diameter . There is change in size, generally an increase. Melanomas may be small, but most are more than 6 millimeters wide (about a quarter of an inch wide).
- Evolution . The mole has changed in recent weeks or months.
Faced with a suspicious mole:
If a mole appears that could generate suspicion, it is surgically removed and sent for biopsy for anatomopathological analysis. The treatment to follow will depend on the result of the examination. In the case of a malignant melanoma, an early diagnosis is very important, if the tumor is operated at an early stage or in situ, the prognosis of the patient is very good. Conversely, if the melanoma is already in a stage of deeper invasion of the skin, with loco or distant loco metastases, the prognosis is very gloomy.
People at higher risk of skin cancer:
Those who are most exposed to the sun without using sunscreen.
Those who have already suffered malignant melanoma.
Those who have close family members who have had melanoma.
People with light eyes and white skin.
Recommendations:
The sun is healthy but let's not forget that it has a double face. Following some simple recommendations to protect our skin, will allow us to obtain all its benefits and keep risks away. So, as recommended by doctors and experts:
- Always use sunscreen.
- Avoid sunbathing at the central hours of the day.
- The sun should be taken progressively.
- Protect your eyes and your head.
- Remember that eating also helps achieve a natural tan.
- Being tan all year long is not a must.
- Do not go to solariums.
- Use jockey or wide-brimmed hats .
Photo: http://www.ellahoy.es/salud/articulo/salud-cardiovascular-los-efectos-positivos-del-sol/82947/