Melanoma : the abcde method to prevent and detect it

31 May 2023 Healthy skin

Today is France's skin cancer awareness day, so we want to discuss an issue we deeply care about. Nowadays, everyone knows what can happen if you spend too much time in the sun, even more so if you do not protect yourself: skin cancer. But do not panic - we will explain everything you need to know to limit your risk and detect the first signs for fast and effective treatment. ignes pour une prise en charge optimale et rapide.

What is Skin Cancer?

When talking about skin cancer, most of our minds go straight to melanoma. But the truth is that there are several types of skin cancer that originate in different types of cells.

The most frequent form of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma, which starts in the cells located deep in the epidermis. This kind of cancer is localized and never metastases. It is observed principally on the face, the neck, or the upper part of the body.

The second most common are cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas. These start in the cells at the surface of the epidermis on any part of the body, including the mucosa of the mouth or genitals. Its growth represents a greater risk, as it has a higher tendency to metastasize.

Finally, melanoma, which begins in the cells that produce melanin, melanocytes. It develops horizontally, then spreads to the rest of the epidermis and can easily metastasize. This makes it the most deadly variety of skin cancer.

Skin Cancer: Increasingly Common Pathologies

Although considered rare cancers, case of skin cancers (including melanoma, the most aggressive form) are increasing year after year. In France, 80000 new cases of skin cancer (all varieties together) are diagnosed every year (source: INCA), following a trend of constant increase over the past 50 years. Each year in France, no less than 15,500 cases of melanomas are diagnosed, including 1,800 deaths, with most in the region of Brittany. Worldwide, around 3 million people are affected by non-melanoma cancers and 132,000 by malignant melanomas. Australians are the worst affected by the pathology.

Simple Things to Protect Yourself and Avoid an Unpleasant Surprise: the ABCDE method.

You are now aware that skin cancers are increasingly common. Nevertheless, strongly reducing this risk is possible thanks to easy protective measures. And if required, fast treatment is available when you learn to recognize the first signs.

To start off, nothing is better than prevention. Every time you go out in the sun, use a suncare product suited to your complexion, age, and location. Suncare product s like sunscreen protect your skin from the adverse effects of UVA and UVB, which include the degeneration of skin cells without protection. Do not forget to cover up as well, and avoid going out in the sun from 12 pm to 4 pm. Complementary to total protection, recognizing the signs of melanoma can literally save your life. To do so, dermatologists developped a self-check-up method called the ABCDE method (Asymmetry, Borders, Color, Diameter, and Evolution). To be performed at least three times per year and be completed with a visit to the dermatologist or your family doctor, the procedure involves examining yourself in a mirror. Check for the appearance of any new spots, monitoring the shape, color, and evolution of your moles. If some areas are hard to see, ask your partner or a friend to help you.

For more information about this topic, click here.

crèmes solaires des Laboratoires de Biarritz

So to enjoy the sun as long as possible, risk-free, do not forget to take your sunscreen with you, wear protective clothing if necessary, and get checked up several times a year!