May Is Melanoma Detection & Prevention Month

Melanoma Detection & Prevention Awareness is May, but prevention and detection should be all year long: monthly skin checks including areas that get no sun.

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive cancers, but when detected early, it’s highly treatable.

This disease can develop from existing moles or appear as new spots on the skin.

It can spread rapidly to other parts of the body, making it more difficult to treat once advanced.

Preventing Melanoma

Simple measures like wearing sunscreen, avoiding tanning beds, wearing protective clothing and seeking shade can greatly reduce the risk of developing this skin cancer.

Sunscreen should be worn even for short periods in the sun.

Protective clothing may include a wide-brimmed hat and clothes that contain barriers to UVA and UVB rays from the sun.

Warning Signs of Melanoma

Recognizing the warning signs as early as possible will greatly improve your prognosis.

Normal Black Line Under Fingernail vs. Melanoma Streak

Hard Pimple that Won’t Go Away After 2 Months May Be Cancer

Age Spots vs. Melanoma: Appearance Comparison

How Fast Nodular Melanoma Goes from Flat to Pencil Eraser Height

Scabby Dry Mole: Possible Melanoma or Benign?

Can Melanoma Be Perfectly Round, Symmetrical, One Color?

Do ABCDEs Always Apply to Melanoma; Can Cancer Look Normal?

Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.  

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Top image: Shutterstock/eanstudio