Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. It can spread quickly to other parts of the body and turns fatal very rapidly. Every year, melanoma kills around 7,000 citizens, and more than 96,000 new cases are detected every year. However, the prevention of melanoma is possible. In this article, you will find some tips that can be followed to prevent melanoma.

Melanoma gets its name as it is a cancer that originates in the melanocytes or the cells that produce melanin. Melanomas commonly appear in the form of moles. Existing moles may also change in color, shape, or size, indicating that it is a melanoma. When the mole is asymmetric or has an irregular border or uneven colors, it may be a melanoma. An increase in the size of the mole and its changing shape quickly can be an indicator of cancer. Whenever such symptoms are observed, you must immediately consult a dermatologist. Here are some prevention tips for melanoma:

1. Causes and risk factors for melanoma
For the effective prevention of melanoma, it is important to understand the causes of melanoma, and the factors that can increase the risk of developing melanoma.

The main cause of melanoma is the exposure of the skin to UV rays. When skin is exposed to UV rays, the DNA of the skin gets damaged, causing abnormal growth of cells, leading to the spread of cancer.

The following are risk factors for melanoma:

  • People with light skin, light hair, and light eyes have a lesser amount of melanin that protects the skin against UV rays, making them more susceptible to melanoma. However, it doesn’t mean dark skin people don’t get melanoma.
  • Having many moles on the skin and frequent exposure to the sun increases the risk of melanoma.
  • A family history of skin cancer increases the risk of developing melanoma.
  • Exposure to toxic substances can increase the risk of cancer.
  • Women under 50 are more at risk of getting melanoma.
  • Having a weak immune system is a risk factor for melanoma.

2. Prevention of melanoma
The following are some guidelines that can help in preventing melanoma:

  • Avoiding the harsh rays of the sun, especially at midday, is one of the best ways of protecting yourself from the risk of melanoma.
  • It is important to stay in the shade and wear protective clothing with hats and sunglasses to prevent exposure to UV rays.
  • Wearing sunscreen while going outside is important and can protect against UV rays.
  • Indoor tanning using sunlamps can cause melanoma and must be avoided.
  • Special care must be taken to avoid children from being exposed to the sun.
  • Regular self-examination of the skin to detect new moles and observe minute changes in moles can help in preventing the growth of melanomas.

Some of these tips for the prevention of melanoma mentioned in this article are quite effective in helping you protect your skin from cancers. However, genetic factors might also be in play when it comes to developing melanoma. While checking up on family history is important, following these guidelines can also help reduce the risks of you developing melanoma.