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Moles on the skin can be deceptive however most moles, especially the ones that develop in the first two years of life are almost always harmless. It is essential to be vigilant and watch out for new moles especially ones that change colour, size or shape. A new and unusual mole may be a sign of malignant melanoma which is the most serious skin cancer however malignant melanoma does not occur as often as the other types of skin cancer, but it is the most common cause of death resulting from skin cancer.

Melanoma is a tumour that develops in the melanocytes, the cells in the skin that are responsible for producing the pigment that we know as melanin which is responsible for the colouring of the skin. There are many reasons as to why people develop melanoma. Too much exposure to ultraviolet rays is one of the primary causes. Other risk factors that can lead to the formation of melanoma on the skin have to do with the patient’s predisposition to developing melanoma: fair skin, a history of melanoma in the family and a weakened immune system due to treatment of other unrelated illnesses, such as chemotherapy for other forms of cancer and treatments for HIV and AIDS. Also, a person who has been diagnosed of melanoma previously but has recovered from the condition may experience a recurrence of the condition.

In its later stages, melanoma can be fatal; however, it does not mean that it cannot be cured. The key to recovery from melanoma is early detection. You should see your physician if you have more than a hundred moles in your body and if some of them appear:

• asymmetrical, meaning if they are bisected and the two halves do not match;
• with uneven borders or with borders that are scalloped or notched;
• in two or more different colours in one patch;
• constantly changing and accompanied with itching, bleeding or crusting.

If detected early, the melanoma can be treated with a simple surgical procedure that will involve removing the tumour from the skin. If the melanoma has gone deep into the skin and has spread to other organs, other more intensive treatments may be necessary including radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Biotherapy, a medical treatment where boosting the body’s immune system is attempted through the intake of certain drugs, is also used in the treatment of melanoma.

It must be stressed that, as with all cancers, early detection is the key to recovery from melanoma. Mis-diagnosis or failure to make an early diagnosis may mean that a cure is not possible and in this event a claim for compensation for medical negligence can be made against the healthcare professionals involved.

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