| The most common form of cancer is skin cancer. | | | | usually continue to produce melanin which is why |
| Over one million Americans will be diagnosed with | | | | this type of skin cancer shows up as irregular |
| skin cancer this year. About 60,000 of those | | | | dark splotches on the skin. |
| people will be diagnosed with melanoma. Melanoma | | | | Melanoma may suddenly appear without any |
| is the more serious type of skin cancer. | | | | warning signs, or it may start in or near a mole or |
| Although melanoma is a very serious form of skin | | | | dark spot on your skin. It is not uncommon that |
| cancer, it can be detected early and usually | | | | these cancers appear as tan, brown, blue or black |
| treated successfully. As with all cancers, early | | | | splotches. |
| detection is the key to successful treatment. | | | | Melanoma is the only skin cancer that commonly |
| Skin cancer comes in three main types: basal cell, | | | | spreads throughout the body. Once melanoma |
| squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Basal and | | | | spreads to the vital organs it becomes much |
| squamous cell cancers seldom become life | | | | more difficult to treat and cure. This is why it is |
| threatening. But melanoma can be life-threatening | | | | so important to detect changes in your skin early |
| if it is not detected early enough to get proper | | | | and report these to your doctor. An easy tip for |
| treatment. | | | | most to follow is to make a note of the color, |
| Melanoma can be cured it if is detected and | | | | size and locations of moles on your body. Also |
| treated early enough. You need to learn to | | | | make notes of any changes you detect - then |
| recognize changes in your skin so you can report | | | | talk with your family doctor! |
| these to your doctor quickly. | | | | I'm sure you've heard that early detection of |
| Melanoma begins in the cells that produce skin | | | | cancer is the key to higher survival rates. Please |
| coloring or the protective pigment known as | | | | check your skin for changes and report these to |
| melanin. Melanin protects the deeper layers of skin | | | | your doctor. You just might be saving your own |
| from the sun's harmful effects. Melanoma cells | | | | life! |