What are the melanoma skin cancer symptoms?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 40-year-old male and have concerns about skin cancer, particularly melanoma. I am eager to prioritize my health, so any information you can provide on skin cancer and carcinoma would be needed.

Can you please describe the symptoms of skin cancer, with a focus on melanoma, and how it is diagnosed?
What are the key recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding skin cancer prevention?
Are there specific risk factors I should be aware of, and how often should I undergo skin checks?
If diagnosed, what are the available treatment options for skin cancer, including melanoma?
How can I differentiate between moles?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern. The risk factors for developing melanoma are direct sunlight, family history, multiple mole syndrome, and many others. Symptoms of skin cancer can range from a change in a pre-existing mole, skin nodule eruption, skin ulceration, and shortness of breath in case it has spread to the lungs. Skin cancer is diagnosed by taking a biopsy of the suspected skin lesion. The recommendations for skin cancer prevention are as follows.

Protection from daytime direct sunlight, use of sun protective creams, skin examination by a skin specialist, and wearing clothes that cover legs and arms.
Use sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays.

I hope this helps.