Melanoma

Detect This Fast-Moving Skin Cancer as Early as Possible to Minimize Risk and Maximize Health with Timely Specialist Referrals from Omaha’s Elkhorn Dermatology

Melanoma, a severe form of skin cancer, accounts for about 75 percent of skin cancer deaths, despite being less common than basal cell and cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas. In fact, every 57 minutes, one person in the United States dies from melanoma. Omaha’s Elkhorn Dermatology understands the staggering implications of these statistics and wants patients to recognize melanoma risk factors for maximum health.

Our team can help to detect skin cancer early, greatly improving survival rates. Early-stage melanomas have a 99 percent five-year survival rate when treated promptly. At Elkhorn Dermatology, we want you to understand the risks so you are empowered to take action: Schedule regular skin checks, reduce harmful exposures, and adopt protective habits.

Schedule a melanoma consultation at Elkhorn Dermatology in Omaha. Call (531) 777-2752 or book your appointment online today.

Melanoma Risk Factors

Melanoma risk factors vary in urgency, requiring different levels of attention and action:

Take Immediate Action: Top Priority Risk Factors

These factors demand urgent and immediate steps to mitigate the highest risks associated with melanoma development. They include:

Personal History of Melanoma: For individuals with a previous melanoma diagnosis, the risk of recurrence stands at five to ten percent, highlighting the need for lifelong vigilance. This constant elevated risk underscores the importance of regular skin checks and protective measures.
History of Frequent Sun Exposure or Severe Sunburns: Exposure to UV radiation, especially resulting in blistering sunburns before the age of 20, significantly increases melanoma risk by 50 percent. The risk continues to climb with each additional severe sunburn, making sun protection crucial.
Using Tanning Beds: The use of tanning beds before the age of 35 boosts the risk of developing melanoma by 75 percent. This risk grows with each use, pointing to the importance of avoiding tanning beds to protect your skin health.

Act with Urgency: High Risk Factors

Important to address promptly, these risks significantly elevate the likelihood of developing melanoma:

Decreased Immune System: Individuals with compromised immune systems—such as organ transplant recipients—face a risk of melanoma that is three to eight times higher. This heightened risk calls for enhanced surveillance and protective measures.
Large Number of Moles or Atypical Moles: Having numerous or atypical moles significantly raises melanoma risk, with about 50 percent of melanomas developing from these moles. Recognizing changes in moles and seeking frequent dermatological evaluations can be life-saving.

Monitor Closely: Moderate Risk Factors

While these factors pose a moderate risk, they still warrant careful monitoring and preventive measures:

Family History of Melanoma: A 10-times higher risk is associated with individuals having a first-degree relative with melanoma, making family history a critical factor to consider in your skin health strategy.
Fair Skin, Light Eyes, Light Hair, and Freckles

Those with lighter skin types have a two to three times higher risk of developing melanoma. This genetic predisposition emphasizes the need for consistent sun protection and regular skin examinations.

By understanding and acting on these melanoma risk factors based on their urgency, you can take significant steps toward protecting your skin health and reducing your risk of melanoma. Regular full body skin checks, protective measures against UV radiation, and being vigilant about changes in your skin are essential strategies in combating the threat of melanoma.

Melanoma Signs and Symptoms

Melanoma starts in the skin’s pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) and may develop from an existing mole or a new mole. The skin cancer can appear on sun-exposed areas of skin or on areas not typically exposed, such as the eyes, mouth, or genital areas.

For men, it often occurs on head, neck, and trunk. For women, it often occurs on legs. People with darker skin tones more commonly develop melanoma on the hands or feet, or under nails.

What to Watch for

During your monthly self-examination, make a habit of recognizing the moles, freckles, and various marks on your skin, observing any alterations in their shape, size, color, or any other differences, like moles that bleed or itch. For a comprehensive guide on how to conduct a skin self-exam effectively, visit “How to Do a Skin Self-Exam” on the American Cancer Society’s website. Also, use this ABCDE Checklist to know what to look for during your monthly self-exam at home:

A: Asymmetry — one half of the mole…
B: Border – The lesion has an irregular outline.
C: Color – The mole features unusual or multiple colors, such as black, red, blue, and white.
D: Diameter – The lesion has a diameter larger than 6 mm (the size of a pencil eraser).
E: Evolving – The mole is changing over time.

What to Watch for

A: Asymmetry — one half of the mole…
B: Border – The lesion has an irregular outline.
C: Color – The mole features unusual or multiple colors, such as black, red, blue, and white.
D: Diameter – The lesion has a diameter larger than 6 mm (the size of a pencil eraser).
E: Evolving – The mole is changing over time.

When Should You Seek Medical Care for Melanoma?

At Elkhorn Dermatology, we are dedicated to providing you with the most effective tools for early detection and skin health management. With our state-of-the-art full-body cancer screening and advanced mole mapping, we offer a precise and objective way to monitor every spot on your body. By minimizing the limitations of subjective assessment, we ensure reliable tracking of changes over time. Our commitment is to provide you with advanced diagnosis and the confidence that comes from catching potential issues early.

It’s also important to consult a medical professional if you notice:

Existing Moles: If you observe
New Lesions or Spots: on areas frequently exposed to sunlight, especially those that bleed easily or don’t seem to heal. Schedule an immediate consultation with a dermatologist.
Changes in Existing Moles: Be proactive if you notice any changes in the size, shape, color, or texture of a mole. Symptoms like itching, bleeding, or tenderness are warning signs that warrant a professional evaluation.

Our FotoFinder AI Digital Approach to Melanoma Detection at Omaha’s Elkhorn Dermatology

When melanoma is suspected. we take immediate steps to ensure the best care for your health. This includes making a prompt referral for a full-thickness excision biopsy, expertly carried out by a surgical dermatologist specializing in such procedures. This critical diagnostic step involves the careful removal of the entire area of concern, allowing for an accurate assessment of the issue. By directing you swiftly to the right dermatological surgeon for this task, we help facilitate the seamless continuation of your care. At Elkhorn Dermatology, your journey from diagnosis to treatment is managed with the utmost professionalism and dedication to your well-being.

Take a proactive approach to your skin health. Schedule a melanoma consultation at Elkhorn Dermatology in Omaha by calling (531) 777-2752 or requesting an appointment online.

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