Melanoma can be prevented with regular skin exams and the “ABCDE” rule: American Academy of Dermatology

Knowing your ABCs can save your life.

The Real Housewives of Orange County star Tamra Judge recently took to Instagram to remind her followers of the dangers of melanoma.

“May is Melanoma Awareness Month. Please go for a full body skin check, it could save your life. #melanomasurvivor,” she posted a few days ago.

The 54-year-old was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2017 after noticing a birthmark in a very sensitive area – her buttocks – for the first time this summer, but was later diagnosed as melanoma after a massage therapist encouraged her to make sure This was not the case for Serious, according to Self, a wellness and health content platform.

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“I probably never would have known it was there because I don’t turn around and look back there,” said the California native. “It didn’t hurt. It was nothing, it wasn’t triggered. There was no reason for me to believe anything was wrong.”

A few months later, a dermatologist biopsied the lesion and a melanoma came back. She subsequently underwent surgery and is now free of skin cancer.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, but melanoma accounts for only about 1% of all skin cancers, according to the American Cancer Society.

“Melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of pigment-producing cells. A melanoma can appear on the skin suddenly without warning, but it can also develop within an existing mole,” according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD).

“The overall incidence of melanoma continues to rise. In fact, melanoma rates in the United States doubled from 1988 to 2019, and globally, melanoma diagnoses are projected to increase by more than 50% by 2040.”

Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, either from the sun or from indoor tanning, is believed to increase the risk of all skin cancers, including melanoma, according to the Dermatological Association.

And more than 90% of melanoma cases are due to skin damage from ultraviolet radiation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Using tanning beds before the age of 20 can increase your chances of developing melanoma by 47%, and the risk increases with each use,” warns AAD.

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“The American Academy of Dermatology urges everyone to regularly examine their skin. This means examining your entire body, including your back, scalp, palms, soles of your feet and between your toes.”

And if you notice a mole on your skin, follow the “ABCDE rule” to know when to see a doctor.

The “A” stands for asymmetry, where half of the spot is different from the other, “B” stands for an irregular border, the “C” stands for color, with the mole changing color from one area to the next, the “D” stands for diameter, where the mole is larger than the size of a pencil eraser, and “E” stands for developing, where the spot looks different than the rest.

“If you notice a new mole, a different mole, or a mole on your skin that’s changing, itchy, or bleeding, even if it’s smaller than 6mm, you should make an appointment with a licensed dermatologist as soon as possible,” advised AAD.

Melanomas are highly treatable when caught early, with an average five-year survival rate of 99% for those diagnosed before they spread to the lymph nodes.

Prevention against harmful UV rays is essential, which is why the Dermatological Association advises: “The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. If your shadow seems shorter than you, seek out shadows.”

Also, according to the AAD, wear clothing that protects against the sun, such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses with UV protection.

However, for more effective sun protection, look for specific clothing with a UV protection factor (UPF) number on the label.

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And apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen that’s also waterproof and has an SFP of 30 or higher to any skin not covered by clothing, and remember to take extra precautions around water, snow, and sand because their reflective properties “…can amplify the sun’s harmful rays, which can increase the risk of sunburn.”

“Avoid sunbeds. If you want to look tan, you should use a self-tanning product, but keep using sunscreen.”