MELANOMA AWARENESS​

WEDNESDAY DEC. 5, 2012



Melanoma is a malignant tumor of melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that produce the dark pigment, melanin, which is responsible for the color of skin. They predominantly occur in skin, but are also found in other parts of the body, including the bowel, oral cavity and the eye. Melanoma can originate in any part of the body that contains melanocytes. Melanoma is less common than other skin cancers. However, it is much more dangerous if it is not found early. It causes the majority (75%) of deaths related to skin cancer. Worldwide, doctors diagnose about 160,000 new cases of melanoma yearly. It is more common in women than in men.  According to a WHO report, about 48,000 melanoma related deaths occur worldwide per year. All cancers are caused by damage to the DNA inside cells. This damage can be inherited in the form of genetic mutations, but in most cases, it builds up over a person's lifetime and is caused by factors in their environment. DNA damage causes the cell to grow out of control, leading to a tumor. Melanoma is usually caused by damage from UV light from the sun, but UV light from sunbeds can also contribute to the disease. The UV radiation from tanning beds increases the risk of melanoma. The International Agency for Research on Cancer states that tanning beds are "carcinogenic to humans" after an analysis of more than 20 epidemiological studies found that people who begin using tanning devices before age 30 are 75% more likely to develop melanoma. Minimizing exposure to sources of ultraviolet radiation (the sun and sunbeds), following sun protection measures can offer protection. -wikipedia



Changing the way you tan!