Melanin is pigment in your skin. It is produced by cells called melanocytes. Melanoma is a dangerous form of skin cancer that occurs when malignant tumors form in the melanocytes.

Melanoma is not as common as basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, but more aggressive. It is responsible for 75 percent of deaths related to cancer, and thousands of cases are diagnosed annually. It is detected more frequently in women than in men, in fair-skinned (Caucasian) races and sunny climates like Charlotte.

Before you may take steps to prevent melanoma, you should know the causes. All types of cancer originate from impairment of the DNA (the nucleic acid that contains genetic instructions for our bodies). As cells grow out of control, tumors form.

Causes of DNA defects which lead to melanoma include:

• Heredity
  You may be predisposed to genetic mutations in DNA leading to skin cancer. However, these situations are rare.
• UV light
  Repeated exposure or severe burns from the sun or from tanning beds is strongly linked to melanoma.

It’s that simple. Protect yourself from the sun and you reduce your risk of melanoma dramatically. Stay out of direct sun during mid-day hours (between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.) whenever possible. Face, shoulders, and hands tend to catch the most rays, so if you must be out, wear a hat with a brim; a long-sleeved garment; and sunscreen containing avobenzone, zinc, or titanium on hands and other exposed skin. Stay out of sunbeds. If you favor a tanned look, use bronzing lotions or sprays.

Remember the warning signs of melanoma with this alphabetic trick – ABCDE. Watch your skin for moles or spots of pigmentation that:

• Are Asymmetrical
• Have irregular Borders
• Show unusual or multiple Colors
• Are larger than a pencil eraser in Diameter
• Evolve (change in shape or color) over time

Don’t take chances with skin cancer. If you spot any of these symptoms of melanoma, a new or unusual lump under your skin, or have a mole that itches or seeps, call Darst Dermatology immediately for a professional assessment.