Malignant Melanoma Risks in Women
With many public service announcements focused on the early detection of cancer, there continues to be a rise in the number of women diagnosed with malignant melanoma. While there are risk factors associated with malignant melanoma, the most current trait among female cancer patients is the continued lack of early cancer detection. As a woman, it is important to become familiar with the early warning signs and treatment of malignant melanoma in an effort to improve your overall quality of life.
Moles and UV exposure are the two significant health risks that women face, often leading to malignant melanoma, without any early warning signs. Because moles are usually considered a part of physical beauty in women, women typically do not pay close attention to the appearance of their moles. Over time, however, a mole may become malignant and require removal and treatment for a cancerous condition.
In additional to mole complications, women are also more apt to exposure their skin to damaging UV rays that may lead to malignant melanoma – even further complicating a mole that may be at-risk for becoming malignant. While no sunlight exposure is never recommended, women must pay particularly cessation attention to the types and amounts of UV exposure they receive as this will further complication early warning signs and screenings for melanoma.
Another interesting and growing risk for women is the continued exposure to tar, arsenic and even some pesticides. If you are a woman who works or lives in an region where these products are a potential exposure for you, your risk for developing malignant melanoma may be significantly greater than in women who are not exposed. When combined with UV exposure and moles, this makes for a triple combination that may even warrant regular and routine visits with a skin care specialist to monitor and track any changes in your skin’s condition over time.
Dermatologists, skin care specialists and even family practitioners will provide the best resources for you in terms of malignant melanoma prevention and reducing risks. While we typically do not concern ourselves with skin exposure issues, the fact is many women are suffering from increased risk for skin cancer and melanoma is often preventable or treatment when diagnosed early. Watch the look and feel of your moles, reduce your UV ray exposure, and limit access and exposure to pesticides and other chemicals. In the long term, this will provide the best possible procedure to prevent malignant melanoma from developing.
Sources: European Journal of Cancer, 43, 1067-1074.
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