Melanoma
The Serious Type of Skin Cancer: By- Chris Martins
Melanoma is "-when something goes wrong in the pigment-producing cells that give color to the skin," but it is simply a mole that develops into cancer with too much exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays. The scientific name for melanoma is "melanoma malignum," but melanoma is the common name. Melanoma is the most serious, if not, one of the most serious type of skin cancer. So melanoma is no laughing matter.
An estimated 73870 new cases of invasive melanoma will be diagnosed in 2015
On average, a person’s risk for melanoma doubles if he or she has more than 5 sunburns
Melanoma is the 5th most common cancer for males, and the 7th most common cancer for females
One person dies of melanoma every 57 minutes
1 in 50 men and women will be diagnosed with melanoma of the skin during their lifetime
About 86% of melanoma of melanomas can be caused by the exposure to UV rays of the sun
Melanoma accounts for 6% of cancer cases in teens of ages 15-19 years old
Half of all adults aged 18-29 report at least one sunburn in the past 12 months
Sustaining 5 or more sunburns in youth cases increases lifetime melanoma risk by 80%
- Melanoma is the most common cancer for young adults 25-29 and the second most common form of cancer for young people 15--29 years old
Ways to Maintain Your Health
Avoid tanning beds
Use sunscreen
Follow the slip, slop, slap and wrap rules. Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat and wrap on sunglasses
Seek shade, especially in the middle of the day, when the sun’s rays are the strongest
Avoid direct exposure to the sun, between 10 a.m and 4 p.m
Teach children the shadow rule; “If your shadow is shorter than you, the sun’s rays are at the strongest”
Melanoma
Melanoma Antidote
Citations
"Skin Cancer Facts." Skin Cancer Facts. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
"Skin Cancer Foundation." Skin Cancer Facts. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2015.
"Melanoma Risks and Causes." Melanoma Risks and Causes. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Mar. 2015.
"Can Melanoma Skin Cancer Be Prevented?" Can Melanoma Skin Cancer Be Prevented? N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Mar. 2015.
"DermNet NZ." Melanoma, Malignant Melanoma. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Mar. 2015.