Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that impacts the melanin-producing melanocytes. This form of cancer is said to be caused due to exposure to UV rays from the sun or excessive tanning. Early detection leads to successful treatment and cure. In this article, we will look at melanoma and its prevention, symptoms, and treatment.

Symptoms of melanoma
Melanoma generally occurs on parts of your body that have been exposed to excessive sunlight. This includes the face, arms, legs, and back. The symptoms to watch out for include:

1. Changes in an existing mole
An existing mole might change in shape. It may have irregular borders and a color that does not seem evenly distributed. The mole may also start to itch or begin to bleed.

2. Changes in vision
This is generally caused by melanoma in the eye. It is called ocular melanoma.

3. New growth
A melanoma may also show up as an entirely new growth on your skin.

Treatment of melanoma
The treatment for melanoma is determined based upon the stage of cancer faced by the patient. This stage is determined during diagnosis. Here are the ways of treating melanoma.

1. Surgery
Early-stage melanoma can be easily treated simply by removing the melanoma through surgery. If the melanoma has spread, the patient may have to undergo further treatment through chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of them.

2. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy medications may be given intravenously or as pills to kill cancer cells.

3. Radiation therapy
Energy beams of high power are used to kill cancer cells. It is used when surgery is not completely effective. Apart from killing cancer cells, radiation therapy is often given to help patients cope with symptoms.

4. Immunotherapy
In this treatment, medications are administered to help your immune system fight off cancer. This is recommended when the melanoma has reached the patient’s lymph nodes. Some patients may also be advised to undergo surgical procedures on their lymph nodes if cancer has spread there.

Prevention of melanoma
Now, we cannot say there is a 100% foolproof way of preventing melanoma. But the good news is that you can take steps to bring down your risk as much as possible. Here are some of the ways to prevent melanoma:

1. Minimize your exposure to direct sunlight
This is the most important step to take to prevent yourself from developing melanoma. If you cannot avoid the sun, then remember to wear sunscreen and long sleeves. Keep your children safe from the sun by not letting them play in direct sunlight

2. Avoid tanning beds
While getting a tan might seem fashionable, it is best not to risk it, as this can increase your risk of melanoma. Any leading dermatologist will caution you against tanning beds too.

It is also recommended that you regularly check for any moles on your body for any sudden visible changes. We hope that this article on melanoma and its prevention, symptoms, and treatment has been informative!