Melanoma awareness month – staying safe in the sun can save your life

As Melanoma awareness month draws to a close, Consultant medical oncologist Dr Yogesh Manikyam gives us his advice on prevention and early detection of the disease. 

Melanoma is a malignant tumour of melanocytes. It’s not entirely a skin cancer and can occur anywhere in the body.  

Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the UK, according to the Channel Islands Cancer Report, and the rate for malignant melanomas diagnosed is higher in Guernsey than in England and the Southwest. 

The good news is that melanoma of the skin is also one of the most preventable cancers. Most melanomas are due to lifelong accumulation of UV radiation and damage to skin, so prevention methods should start at a young age. 

How you can prevent Melanoma

We’re fortunate to enjoy life on a beautiful island, but it does mean that we’re exposed to higher UV radiation, especially during the summer months. Here’s what you can do to help prevent melanoma: 

• Use sun protection every day 

• Cover yourself up with hats, sunglasses and protective clothing 

• Avoid the use of tanning beds 

• Avoid excessive exposure to UV radiation and sunlight, especially from 11am to 4pm, when UV is at its strongest 

• Remember that UV rays can still damage the skin on cloudy days 

Signs to look out for 

Regular self-examination is vital for early diagnosis and cure of melanoma. Look out for: 

• Any pigmented growths with many or unusual colour patterns 

• Unusual shaped moles 

• Changes in existing moles, such as new growth  

• Any bleeding or itching 

Specific groups of people with other risk factors at higher risk of developing melanoma can discuss with their GPs and enrol into the mole mapping services. 

Treatment 

Major advances in immunotherapy and targeted therapy have transformed the treatment of advanced melanoma over the last decade, resulting in longer and durable remissions. 

“Make sure to check your skin regularly and practice sun safety. If something doesn’t look right, seek medical attention.”