Download Melanoma - Kate`s Foundation for Melanoma Awareness and

Melanoma
Raising Awareness
Quick Facts
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About 68,720 people were diagnosed with melanoma in 2009
8,650 died of melanoma
Melanoma accounts for 3% of skin cancers, but 75% of skin cancer
related deaths
5th most common cancer in males and 6th in females
If detected early, the survival rate is 99%, but this number drops to
15% when the disease advances
Risk for melanoma doubles if a person has had 5 or more sunburns in
their lifetime
65% of melanoma cases can be attributed to UV radiation
Most common form of cancer for adults ages 25-29 and second most
common in young people ages 15-29
1 in 39 men and 1 in 58 women will develop melanoma
What is the Cause of Melanoma?
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Melanoma is caused by a
mutation in melanocytes,
causing them to divide and
grow uncontrollably
Melanocytes are body cells
that produce the skin
pigment melanin
Melanin protects the skin
from harmful effects of the
sun
If left untreated, melanoma
can spread to deeper skin
layers, lymph nodes, and
internal organs
Signs and Symptoms
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Often the first sign is a change
in the size, shape, color, or feel
of an existing mole
Remember the ABCD’s:
Asymmetry- the shape of one
side does not match the other
– Border-blurred or irregular
edges with pigment
sometimes spreading into
surrounding skin
– Color- uneven color with areas
of pink, black, red, brown,
white, gray, or blue
– Diameter- change in size
resulting in a mole usually
larger than a pencil eraser
For early detection it is important
to conduct regular Skin Exams
(click to see video)
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Factors That Increase Risk of
Development
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Unprotected or excessive exposure to UV
rays
Fair complexion
Family history
Multiple or atypical moles
Personal history
Sever sunburns
Prevention
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Avoid sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when it is the
strongest
Look for shade– if shadow is shorter than you, then the sun’s
rays are too strong
Wear protective clothing made of fabric you can’t see through
when held up to a light
Protect face, neck, and ears with a hat
Put on sunscreen of at least SPF 15 and reapply after
swimming or perspiring
Follow these rules even on overcast days as UV rays can still
penetrate the clouds
Avoid tanning beds and sun lamps (click to see video)
Treatment
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Surgery- tumor is removed by cutting it out along the
margin
Chemotherapy- drugs that kill cancer cells are
injected intravenously or taken orally
Immunotherapy- stimulates patient’s immune system
to recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively
Radiation Therapy- high-energy rays are used to kill
the cancer
New Research
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BRAF gene found to be abnormal in most melanoma
patients. New drug PLX4032 is currently being
developed to target this gene.
CTLA-4 is a protein the suppresses T-cell immune
response, which could allow cancer cells to survive.
Ipilimumab is a drug that targets this protein and is
now in late stage clinical trials. It is most effective
when combined with immunotherapy or
chemotherapy.
Mutation in c-kit gene linked to melanoma, and
various drugs that combat cells with this mutation
are in clinical trials.