High mortality rate and high metastasis rate! Remember the five self-examination methods to stay away from melanoma

On June 14, 2023, "melanoma" became a hot topic and sparked heated discussions. You may not be unfamiliar with melanoma. In the movie "If You Are the One 2", Xiangshan, played by Sun Honglei, had a melanoma on the sole of his foot and held a farewell party, which made countless audiences cry. What kind of disease is melanoma? Everyone has some moles on their bodies. Could these moles be "bombs" hidden in your skin? How should we self-examine? This issue of Health Focus will reveal the secrets for you.

High mortality, high metastasis rate, difficult to treat

Melanoma is a highly malignant tumor originating from melanocytes. It can develop from existing moles or grow newly. The main sites of disease in Chinese patients are the extremities, such as the soles of the feet, fingers, and toes, as well as mucous membranes, such as the nasal mucosa and oral mucosa.

It has the characteristics of high mortality, high metastasis rate, and great difficulty in treatment. The incidence of melanoma in China (0.9/100,000) is relatively low compared with that in Western countries (22/100,000) [1]. However, more than 80% of patients miss the opportunity for treatment due to insufficient knowledge of melanoma. The 5-year survival rate of patients with advanced melanoma is only 5% to 10%.

The main treatment for melanoma is early surgical removal. If the best time for surgery is missed, it can only be treated with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, etc. However, there is currently no highly effective chemotherapy drug for melanoma, and it is not sensitive to radiotherapy. Therefore, the prognosis of radiotherapy and chemotherapy is not very good. In this case, early detection is particularly important.

ABCDE five-point self-examination method to detect skin abnormalities in time

Which mole on your body could be an invisible bomb? The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using the "ABCDE method" to check for yourself.

A-Asymmetrical/Asymmetry: Melanoma is different from common moles or nevi. It is often asymmetrical in shape and grows unevenly.

B-Border/polygonal: The edges of ordinary moles are smooth and clearly demarcated from the surrounding skin. If the edges of a mole become irregular and jagged in a short period of time, you should also be alert.

C-Colours/ Uneven colour: When melanoma occurs, the colour may become darker, lighter or discolored. For example, it may change from black to black and skin colour, or from brown to tan to pink, white or blue-black. The colour is uneven. Large blue nevi are more likely to become cancerous. Once they become highly malignant, they should be closely monitored[2].

D-Diameter/Large diameter: The diameter is often more than 6 mm, but not always;

E-Evolution, Enlargement/Evolution, Enlargement: Obvious changes in a short period of time, such as enlargement of shape, color or increase in volume, and inflammatory reactions in the surrounding skin such as bleeding, itching, ulcers, and scabs that are difficult to heal.

If you notice the above changes in your skin, you should go to the dermatology or oncology department in time to see a doctor. Early detection and treatment can improve the survival rate.

To prevent melanoma, remember these 5 points

1. Pay attention to sun protection

Most melanomas are caused by sun exposure. A British study found that about 86% of melanomas are caused by overexposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation[3]. Another study showed that if a person is sunburned more than five times, their risk of melanoma doubles[4]. Especially for the elderly, don't think it's okay to have a tanned skin. This is not a matter of beauty, but a health issue.

2. Do not stimulate frequently and do not randomly "point moles"

Most moles are safe, but many people still want to touch or remove them when they see them. They use their fingernails to pick them out, or go to beauty salons to use "medicine" or "laser" to remove them. These behaviors are very undesirable because constant stimulation may induce rapid growth or even malignant changes of moles. If you really want to remove moles, it is recommended to go to a regular hospital for treatment.

3. Check yourself at any time and have regular physical examinations

Remember the ABCDE five-point self-examination method, have regular physical examinations, and check the skin all over the body, especially the soles of the feet, fingers, etc. If you find any abnormalities, go to a regular professional hospital for treatment in time.

4. Be more vigilant about the trauma site

In the case of puncture wounds, smash wounds, crush wounds, etc., the pigmentation of the injured area does not disappear, and cell malignancy is prone to occur during the repair process, so special vigilance is required.

5. Treat pigmented nevi in ​​areas prone to friction as soon as possible

For pigmented nevi that grow on the palms, soles, vulva, anus, nasopharynx, oral mucosa, belt area and other areas prone to friction, they should be treated in a scientific way as early as possible.

Finally, I would like to remind everyone that if you find that the original mole has the above changes or a new "weird-looking" mole, you should go to the hospital's dermatology or oncology department as soon as possible. Do not apply medicine on the mole at will before seeing a doctor, and do not use "laser" or needle to prick it.