May is Melanoma Awareness month
May is Melanoma Awareness Month:
As the days get warmer, May serves as your reminder that your skin needs more than just SPF, it needs awareness and regular checkups. That’s why May is recognised as Melanoma awareness month, a dedicated time for creating knowledge around one of the most dangerous forms of skin cancer.
What is Melanoma?
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that begins in the melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin which are responsible for skin colour. Although its less common than other types of skin cancer, melanoma is significantly more dangerous due to its ability to spread rapidly to other parts of the body if not caught early.
Melanoma can develop anywhere on the skin, even if that area is not typically exposed to the sun. It can affect all skin tones, but is most common in those with lighter skin.
What are the warning signs?
Early detection of melanoma can be lifesaving. The most well known method for identifying the warning signs is the ABCDE rule:
A – Asymmetry: One side of the mole doesn’t match the other
B – Border: The edges are irregular or blurred
C – Colour: The mole has varying colours such as black, brown, pink, white, red or blue
D – Diameter: It is larger than 6mm, although melanomas can be smaller
E – Evolving: The mole is changing in size, shape or colour over time
Other signs include sores that don’t heal, spreading pigment, or new moles that look unusual. If you notice any of these symptoms, consult a doctor or dermatologist as soon as possible.
How you can prevent it:
While not all melanomas are preventable, there are a few steps you can take to significantly reduce your risk:
Wear SPF with broad-spectrum protection, even on cloudy days. Persona’s top choice is the Heliocare 360 range!
Avoid sun beds as these can increase your risk of skin cancer
Stay in the shade, particularly during peak sun hours (on a sunny day, this is usually between 10am-4pm)
Wear protective clothing, such as hats and sunglasses that block UV rays
Perform regular self checks. You can also get annual skin checks from certain healthcare professionals
How Persona can help:
At Persona, your skin health is our priority. As a CQC registered clinic, we offer professional mole removal services and are equipped to send any suspicious lesions for lab testing. If you have a mole that’s changing in appearance or causing you any concern, our experienced medical team can offer an assessment and guide you through the next steps with care and vast expertise.
Don’t wait. Early detection can save lives. Book a mole consultation with us at Persona today and take proactive steps towards skin protection.