Hello, Brandon. I'm Dr. Johnson. Who did you bring with you today? Good morning, doctor. This is my wife, Nicole. Brandon, Nicole, I'm a dermatologist, a specialist in the care of skin diseases. You're here for a skin cancer screening today is that correct? Yes. My family doctor referred me. He was concerned about this spot on my hand. Have you ever been screened or diagnosed with melanoma or skin cancer before? No. I didn't think skin cancer would be a problem for me as I have darker skin. On the forms you filled out, you indicated that you are Latino? Yes. It is a common belief that people who have darker skin are not at a risk for melanoma, which is one of the most serious types of skin cancers. According to the referral, your family doctor was concerned the spot on your hand might be melanoma. How serious is it? It can be very serious. That is why I'll be examining your hand and skin. What do you know about melanoma? Very little. The first time I heard of melanoma is when my doctor told me I needed to get the spot checked right away. Before I start the exam, I have a short video I'd like to show you that will give you information about melanoma. It will only take a few minutes, is that okay? Okay. What is melanoma? Melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer. It can travel to other areas of the body and can lead to death. Each year in the United States, 2,800 Latinos are diagnosed with and over 400 die from melanoma. If caught early, melanoma's five-year survival rate is 99%. However, this can decrease to 32% if caught late. You can spot melanoma early and save lives. Melanoma types. Melanoma can be broken down into two types, those caused by sunlight exposure and those unrelated to sun exposure. If you have light colored skin, hair, or eyes, you sunburn, freckle, or have a personal or family history of red hair, you are at increased risk for melanomas caused by sunlight. However, everyone is at risk for non- sunlight melanomas, including those with darker skin. Melanomas not caused by sunlight. Melanoma can occur on the bottom of the feet or hands, on or between the toes, and under the toenails or fingernails. You are looking for a blue-gray, black, brown, tan, pink or red spot on the soles, palms, toes, or inside the mouth. This type of melanoma can be mistaken as a wart. Under the toe and fingernails, you are looking for a vertical line of black, brown, tan, pink or red. Showing any concerning spots to your family physician or dermatologist early can save lives. Melanomas caused by sunlight. The ABCDEs help you find melanomas caused by sunlight. A stands for asymmetry when comparing one side to the other. B stands for border. Melanomas have irregular borders. C stands for color. Melanomas have multiple colors. D stands for diameter. Melanomas are often larger than 6 mm, the size of a pencil eraser. E stands for evolution, if a spot is changing, getting bigger, itching, bleeding, or becoming painful. In dermatology, we have found that people who sunburn or have light hair or eye color are at risk for melanomas caused by sunlight. If this is you, you need to protect yourself from the sun using, one, sun protective clothing such as hats, long sleeve shirts and pants. Two, avoiding the sun between 10:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. and seeking shade. Three, using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with 30 SPF or higher. Tanning bed use -- even one time -- can more than double your risk of melanoma. Tanning and base tans are not recommended. The sun near the equator and at high elevations is more intense and increases your risk of melanoma. Sun protection is still needed on cloudy days, as 80% of the ultraviolet rays go through the clouds. Sunscreen needs to be reapplied every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating. Cream-based sunscreen works better than spray sunscreens. A family history of melanoma or many moles and atypical moles increases your melanoma risk. Self skin examination. It is recommended with a change of seasons -- every three months -- you should perform a self skin exam and help your family members perform theirs. Facing the mirror, check your face, chest and belly. Check your underarms, arms, hands, and fingernails. Use a comb to check your scalp. Facing away from the mirror, using a handheld mirror and the full-length mirror behind you, check the back of your scalp with a comb, your neck, back, and buttocks. If you have a partner or family member, involve them by having them check your back and hard to see places for you. Sitting down, check your genital area, your thighs, shins, feet, between your toes, and under your toe nails. Using the handheld mirror, check the back of your thighs, your calves, and the bottom of your feet. If you find something suspicious, take a photograph of it. Make an appointment with your primary care physician or dermatologist. Brandon and Nicole, did any questions come up while you were watching the video? I didn't realize that melanoma was so serious, that it can spread through your body and you can die from it. That's why it is so important to detect it early. The sooner we find it, the sooner we can treat.
