Melanoma Monday is May 6

Melanoma, a cancer of pigment-producing cells called melanocytes, is one of the most common cancers in the United States. Over the past three decades, the incidence in the U.S. alone has tripled, and it is currently one of the top-10 causes of new cancer cases. Most melanomas originate from the skin, though they can also arise from other parts of the body containing melanocytes, including the eyes, brain, spinal cord or mucous membranes. Some melanomas are first detected when they spread to other parts of the body, without a documented primary tumor.

In recognition of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, Reflections Dermatology’s Jessica Holland PA-C will be performing free skin cancer screenings at the Winter Park YMCA on Melanoma Monday (May 6) from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Please call our office for more information at 407-895-8818.

While the overall five-year survival rate for people diagnosed with melanoma is high, at 92 percent compared to 66 percent for all other cancers, the survival rate decreases dramatically once melanoma spreads to other parts of the body. Very early stage (localized, Stage 0 or I) melanoma has a 90-percent cure rate with surgery, while patients with disseminated Stage IV melanoma have a median life expectancy of less than one year.

The ability to spread widely to other parts of the body is a unique characteristic of melanoma that the other more common types of skin cancer, such as basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, do not possess. This characteristic makes melanoma the deadliest of all skin cancers. Although it only accounts for 4 percent of skin cancers, it accounts for 80 percent of all skin cancer-related deaths.

In the United States, an estimated 68,130 Americans were newly diagnosed with melanoma last year — one every eight minutes — and approximately 8,700 Americans will die of melanoma annually. That’s one every hour. Despite tremendous advancements in medicine, the melanoma death rate has remained static over the past 30 years, while the incidence is rising.

What’s the best defense? Early detection and treatment. This can be accomplished through annual skin exams with a dermatologist as well as monthly self-exams. This Melanoma Monday, Dr. Palceski encourages all of you to start a new habit that just might save your life. Schedule your annual skin exam today.

Dr. Dimitry Palceski is a board-certified Dermatologist at Reflections Dermatology & Center For Skin Care in Baldwin Park