Melanoma
Melanoma, called malignant melanoma, is a cancerous growth of melanocytes, the cells that provide colour in the skin. While a proportion arise from malignant change in a pre-existing mole, the majority arise in normal pre-existing skin and present as what is described as an unusual looking freckle which is Asymmetric, with Border irregularity, Colour irregularity, and with a Diameter that is Enlarging (the ABCDE of dangerous coloured spots in the skin). Provided melanomas are removed before they have invaded very far into the underlying tissue they may be cured, but if they are more than four millimetres thick then ten-year survival is less than 30 per cent. The earlier the diagnosis the better the prognosis, so people should watch their moles. Since this is a condition where there is increased risk of development of melanoma after heavy exposure to strong sunlight (particularly in childhood) it would help us to remember the slip slop slap message for protection - slip into the shade, slop on some sun cream and slap on a hat.
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