| Skin melanoma is the third most common type of | | | | But there is a new advanced and painless |
| skin cancer, but it is also the deadliest one, | | | | procedure for melanoma detection called the |
| responsible for 75% of fatalities among skin | | | | MelaFind. The MelaFind is a hand held imaging |
| cancer patients. There is no current cure for | | | | device that analyses suspicious pigmented skin by |
| advanced melanoma but, if diagnosed early, | | | | emitting wavelengths of light up to 2.5 mm into |
| melanoma is 100% curable. | | | | the body. |
| Should I be worried? | | | | There is no need for intrusive medical procedure |
| Most people believe that melanoma is caused by | | | | as the MelaFind system knows how to distinguish |
| long exposure to direct sun, but this is not true. | | | | melanoma from non melanoma by scanning the |
| People with a large number of moles and freckles | | | | patient lesions and running it through a database |
| are the ones that face the greatest risk of having | | | | of more than 6,000 already biopsied lesions. By |
| melanoma, even if they stay indoors all day. | | | | comparing the patient lesion with the database, |
| Are you in the risk group? Everybody should be | | | | the MelaFind can then generate an extensive |
| aware of his or hers skin condition and check the | | | | report with a detailed recommendation whether a |
| body for changes from time to time. If any | | | | mole should be biopsied or not. |
| abnormal moles appear on your skin - you should | | | | What else? |
| consult your physician or dermatologist | | | | Remember that regardless of the yearly |
| immediately. | | | | examination, you should be aware of any changes |
| But does it mean that every time a new mole | | | | or abnormal moles that appear on your skin. |
| appears, we need to run to the doctor’s | | | | There is one method which might not be as |
| office? The American Cancer Society | | | | accurate as the MelaFind, but helps to stay on top |
| recommends that adults over the age of 40 | | | | of your health – it’s the “ABCDE” |
| should have a skin exam at least once a year. | | | | of melanoma |
| People with increased risk, who have 20 or more | | | | • Asymmetrical skin lesions |
| moles that are larger than 2 mm in diameter, | | | | • Border of the lesion is irregular or |
| should also undergo a yearly examination. | | | | uneven |
| Melanoma examination is usually done as a visual | | | | • Color: melanomas have two or more |
| diagnose by a dermatologist. Moles that might | | | | colors |
| seem problematic are sent to a laboratory for | | | | • Diameter: moles that are larger than 6 |
| biopsy. Of course that visual examination is not | | | | mm could be malignant |
| accurate and more than 60% of the moles that | | | | • Enlarging: moles are evolving and |
| are removed are harmless. Mole removal also | | | | spreading with time |
| causes scarring. | | | | Melafind is not yet FDA approved, but should be in |
| I don’t want scars! | | | | the near future. |