Spot melanoma before it spots you

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 7, Issue 355, 25 September 1990, Page 12

Spot melanoma before it spots you

Melanoma is a form of skin cancer. The good thing about it is that you can see it on your skin and it's curable if treated at an early stage. What sort of spot to look for. In its early stages a melanoma usually looks like a normal freckle. But unlike a normal freckle, a melanoma grows and changes - often quickly. The mosf important things to look for in a freckle are these changes: • Change in size - especially if the freckle grows larger. • Change in colour - especially if it becomes tan, brown, black and a mixture of red, white, blue or the colour

spreads from the edge into the skin around it. • Change is shape - especially if the freckle becomes an irregular shape. • Change in height - especially if it used to be flat and grown higher. • Change in sensation - especially if the freckle itches, is tender or painful. • Change in the surrounding skin - especially if it becomes red, swells, or if colour blemishes develop next to the freckle. • Change in surface - especially if the freckle becomes scaly, or ulcerated or bleeds. How to spot it: Check you skin every few months. Do this by

standing undressed in front of a mirror and carefully looking at all your skin. Remember the soles of your feet, between your toes and the palms of your hand. Use a hand mirror for awkward spots or ask a friend or family member to help. Do something about it if you spot something suspicious. If it's melanoma it won't go away by itself and any delay could be dangerous. See your doctor. 29 September you can come along to the Ruapehu College Hall and Gymnasium between 10am and 3.30pm and be checked free of charge by a doctor and if necessary a skin specialist. People most at risk: Adults who have: a fair skin; a close relative who's had melanoma; had melanoma in the past; many irregularly shaped freckles; been severely sunburnt in the past; been repeatedly exposed to sun in the first 20 years of life. Babies and children do not get melanoma; but sunburn at this stage may result in melanoma in later life. Sense in the sun. Sunburn will make you

look older! Apart from the risk of m-elanoma, over exposure to sunlight also results in aged - weather beaten skin. The sun is hard at work giving us wrinkles and making us look old. With enough time the sun causes the skin to become thin and papery and can lead to permanent skin damage. So remember girls, a tan only makes you look young and healthy for a minimal amount of time. Look after your skins by protecting yourself from sunburn. T ake special care when you are on snow or on sand or in the water. Also on windy and cloudy days. Normal activities such as walking, gardening, shopping and taking part in sports are also times to use a recommended sunscreen and wear hats or a visor and loose clo thing. Apply sunscreen often especially after being in water, or when skiing. Snow can reflect as much as 85% of the sun's rays. Play it smart - practice sense in the sun. Waimarino Free Spot Check Day is being held Saturday 29 September at the Ruapehu College Hall and Gymnasium from 10am - 3.30pm. Come along and reassure yourself about those spots!