Wellness! posted: " Spotting melanoma - What you should know. NOT JUST ANOTHER NIGHT AT a hockey game. The Canucks faced off against my Seattle Kraken. Sitting behind the arena glass, a young woman spies a mole on the back of assistant equipment manager Brian "Red" "
NOT JUST ANOTHER NIGHT AT a hockey game. The Canucks faced off against my Seattle Kraken. Sitting behind the arena glass, a young woman spies a mole on the back of assistant equipment manager Brian "Red" Hamilton's neck as she watches the Canucks play the Seattle Kraken on October 23.
The skin lesion appears irregular in shape and color. Brown, black, and purple. The abnormality seems slightly raised above the surrounding normal-appearing skin.
Does he know about the skin lesion? Nadia Popovici, a young premedical student, types a message on her phone and knocks on the glass window to get his attention. He looks at the message, nods, smiles, and continues to work.
Only later does he get the news. Cancer. More specifically, skin melanoma.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) explains that "melanoma is a skin cancer type that develops when melanocytes (the cells that give the skin its tan or brown color) begin to grow out of control."
Melanoma is much less common than some other types of skin cancers. But melanoma is more dangerous because it's much more likely to spread to other parts of the body if not caught and treated early.
A risk factor raises your risk of getting a disease such as cancer. The ACS explains that several risk factors can make a person more likely to develop melanoma.
Ultraviolet light
Sunlight is the primary source of UV rays. Others included tanning beds and sun lamps. The pattern and timing of the exposure may play roles; for example, frequent sunburns (especially in childhood) can lead to melanoma on the chest and back.
Moles
Most moles never cause cancer, but those with many moles are more likely to develop melanoma.
Family history
Got a first-degree relative (parent, sister, brother, or child) with melanoma? Your risk is high of getting this skin cancer. Approximately ten percent of those with melanoma have a family history of the disease. Your risk of melanoma is also higher if you have a personal history of skin cancer (of any type). You should have regular skin exams by a dermatologist, examine your skin monthly, and be diligent about sun protection and avoiding tanning beds.
Other
Other risk factors for melanoma include race — Whites have a significantly higher risk than African Americans. Those with blond or red, blue or green eyes, or fair skin that freckles or burns quickly have a higher risk. Males have a higher risk of melanoma, as do older people (please note that it happens in young people, too).
Finally, the inherited condition Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP) is a rare, inherited condition that affects skin cells' ability to repair DNA damage. Individuals with XP have a high risk of getting melanoma and other skin cancers when they are young, especially in skin areas exposed to the sun.
Fast forward to this: Popovici and Hamilton in an emotional meeting. Our premedical student hero asks Hamilton, as both wear face masks if he is okay with shaking hands or hugging. An embrace soon follows, as does $10,000 (for medical school expenses) from the two hockey teams. Yes, this suicide crisis line worker just received several offers of admission to schools of medicine.
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