Melanoma Myths & Risks
Malignant melanomas account for more than 75% of deaths from skin cancer. Some cases are missed because of common myths regarding the disease.
1) Non-Caucasians can develop malignant melanoma with excessive sun exposure
2) Atypical melanomas can be mis-diagnosed as benign (not all melanomas have variation in colour, asymmetrical borders or size greater than 6mm)
3) Some hair-bearing moles can be cancerous
Caucasians are 10 times more likely to develop melanoma than other races.
African-Americans often develop melanoma in non-sun-exposed parts of the body: nails, soles of feet, palms of hand, mouth, nasal passages and genitals!
Only 33% of African Americans develop melanoma in sun-exposed areas!
The development of melanoma in non-exposed areas of the body results in spread of the cancer before diagnosis, and a high fatality rate. One American dies of skin cancer every 65 minutes. Appropriate lifestyle behaviour and vigilance plays a large part in the prevention and early detection of this disease.
Source: PR Inside