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I have a friend who's foot had a small spot that looked different. It was purple and white and itched. That spot started because a melanocyte had gone out of control. He was informed by his personal physician that he had a melanoma.

Melanocytes are the cells that produce melanin. Melanin gives dark or tan color to the skin. But, when one of these cells gets out of control, it can produce one of the most dangerous cancers known. And more than 52,0007 people are told that they have melanoma every year just inside the United States.

Risks for getting Melanoma

The most common risk factor for melanoma known is over exposure to ultraviolet rays. When melanoma was first studied, it was found that people who worked outdoors had a much higher risk of melanoma. Then it was found out that mostly those who had gotten a sunburn that caused blisters were much more likely to get a malignant melanoma.

People with light skin are much more likely to get melanoma. This might likely be related to the fact that they are more likely to get skin damage by sun exposure. But, this is not a hard and fast fact.

Those who have lots of nevi (moles) are at higher risk for melanoma, especially those who have over 50. Also, those with a particular type of mole called a dysplastic nevus are at higher risk.

Some people have had other skin cancers successfully treated including squamous cell carcinoma. Those people are more likely to get melanoma.

If you have had other people in your family that had melanoma, then you are more likely to get a melanoma as well.

Finally, those who have a weakened immune system get malignant melanomas more frequently. Whether a person has AIDS, an organ transplant needing medications to curtail the immune system or others using those medications, that person will have a higher risk.

One published case exemplified the role of genetics in melanoma. A man who was a chimera got melanoma. A chimera is someone who has different parts of the body having two different sets of DNA. This could be the result when twins are formed and somehow join into one body. This man had large metastatic lumps on one side of his body and none at all on the other!

How to Identify a Malignant Melanoma

The only way to be sure whether a bump on your skin is a melanoma or not is to have your doctor take it off and get it studied by a pathologist. However, there are some ways to know if you should be suspicious of one of those lumps or bumps.

Irregular Border - A melanoma will usually have an uneven border. The average mole has a sharp border. You can point to any spot on your skin and say for sure whether it is part of the mole or not. This is not the case with melanoma.

Asymmetric Shape - The melanoma lesions typically have two halves that don't look like mirror images.

Different Color - Malignant Melanomas often will have different parts of the tumor that have different colors.

Size - most melanomas are larger than other moles. And they also tend to grow and may bleed or itch.

If you have a supicious lesion that you have a question about, get it examined by your doctor early. Getting that tumor removed early gives you a much better chance of a cure. Particularly when the lump is still quite small.

Summer is here in the Philippines, everybody is out there swimming at the beach, but be careful in going out under the sun, too much sun is dangerous to our skin. Despite this dangers who can resist the lure of a beautiful sunny day on the beach, specially after a dreary stormy weather and for those unluckier ones who barely see and feel the sun because they are sleep at day. The sun enables us to manufacture Vitamin D and luckily for us who live near the equator we get enough sun during our day to day activities. Here are some simple tips too avoid harmful rays from the sun:

• Use sunscreen = A sunscreen will not make you sun proof but its sun protection factor (SPF) represents the degree to which a sunscreen can protect the skin from sunburn. You will still tan even when you use a sunscreen. An SPF of 15 for daily activities and up to SPF 30 for full sun exposure is recommended. Make sure the label reads broad spectrum protection, sunscreen that protects UVA and UVB. Check the water resistance sunscreen that stays on your skin longer even if it gets wet. Water resistant doesn't mean its waterproof, water resistant sunscreen need to be reapplied as instructed on the label. Sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before sun exposure and repeatedly every 30 minutes to 1 hour, especially when engaged in vigorous activities such as swimming and tanning on the beach.
• Dress with care = Wear clothes that protect your body, cover as much of your body as possible. If you plan to be outside on a sunny day. Wear a wide brimmed hat, long sleeves and long pants. Use an umbrella for shade. And don't forget to protect your lips and your eyes as well, Wear UV protected sunglasses and lip balm with SPF.
• Reduce time in the sun = This is especially recommended from 10 am to 4 pm, when the sun's rays are strongest, Even on an overcast day, up to 80% of the sun's rays can get through the clouds. Stay in the shade as much as possible throughout the day.