Melanoma / Skin Cancer Community

Dealing with hundreds of patients each month, I often come across different reactions when patients are diagnosed with melanoma. It is not uncommon to ask yourself, "How could this happen to me?" Melanomas can appear on parts of the body that rarely or never see the sun. While melanomas more commonly occur after years of "sun worshipping," your risk level can increase due to several factors, including genetics, skin type, and family history. Learn more about these risk factors at http://www.skincancer.org/melanoma/Family-History.html .

One risk factor is a mutation (alteration) in a gene known as BRAF, which may play a part in causing melanoma. In one study, this mutated gene was found in two-thirds of the melanoma cells analyzed, and typically about half of melanoma patients have this defective gene. BRAF is called a "switch" gene, because it turns on by itself and stays turned on, allowing the cells to keep growing and dividing. Mutations in this gene can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and cancer.

Another risk is a sunburn in the area when you were younger. Just one blistering sunburn as a child more than doubles your risk of melanoma. To keep yourself safe from the sun, follow The Skin Cancer Foundation's Prevention Guidelines (http://www.skincancer.org/Guidelines/ ).

The good news is that when caught early most melanomas are very treatable. Monitoring your skin for changes on a monthly basis is recommended. Learn how to perform a self exam by visiting http://www.skincancer.org/Self-Examination/ .

Hello to a fellow 'traveler' with a diagnosis of a melanoma. Mine was on the back of my hand (I've written about it in several posts on threads I started here on the forum).

You mentioned that your melanoma was in a place that is covered. When you mentioned it was under a bra strap it made me think... when I was a child, we lived near the Long Island Sound and went there at least three times a week. I often only had a diaper or a pair of shorts on. My skin does NOT tan and that concerned my mother. My pediatrician told her to expose me to the sun to 'toughen up' my skin. I'm 64 and I can still remember her peeling my skin off my back in sheets and the chills and fever I experienced. So I was thinking... perhaps that area of your skin was exposed to the sun when you were a child - as the doctor here states, just one burn can increase your chances.

Fortunately when my son was born with skin as white as mine, I knew better. He has never had a horrible sunburn thanks to sunscreen. He hates the fact that now that he's an adult he looks like a "pasty boy" (his words) but after watching me go through the surgery etc. he appreciates my diligence. His hair is not quite red but closer to that than brown or blonde.

I can understand your concern and shock. I went through it too. My melanoma had raised up and I had to have the skin removed clear down to the tendons and muscles so they could biopsy the underneath side of the skin they removed.

I received an all clear for the underneath part and the margins of the skin the doctor removed were clear as well. It was a pretty big circle of skin they removed. I have been told that I will not have a melanoma in that area again but that my chances are, of course increased after having one.

I just had my first skin survey and every four to six months I have a survey again. With this diligence, I feel very upbeat that if something is found it will be found early. At my last skin survey I had a basal cell on my other hand 'cryo'd' off. Looks fine now. I have basal and possible squamous on my nose and face and will be using Carac cream to treat that unless I can find another method such as photodynamic therapy. But that's an entirely different subject.

Good for you for getting yourself checked. And although it is shocking and scary to hear the word Melanoma, those skin surveys are your most important defense against recurrence without treatment.