What to do if you suspect you have melanoma

Among the many topics of skin health, melanoma often causes people's concerns and panic due to its potential malignant risks. However, excessive self-doubt is not only not good for health, but may also bring unnecessary psychological pressure. In fact, most dark spots or moles on the skin are not melanoma, but ordinary skin pigmentation. You can learn more about it from the basic information of melanoma, how to distinguish melanoma from ordinary moles, how to recognize risk factors, the importance of regular skin examinations, and the selection of medical departments and experts.

1. Understand the basic information of melanoma: Melanoma is a malignant tumor originating from melanocytes in the skin. Although the incidence is relatively low, early detection and treatment are crucial. It usually manifests as rapidly changing, irregularly shaped, unevenly colored patches or nodules on the skin.

2. Distinguish melanoma from common moles: Most people have moles on their skin, and they are usually benign. Unlike melanoma, common moles have uniform color, clear edges, regular shapes, and little change over the years. If you find any abnormal changes in a mole, you should seek medical attention in time.

3. Understand risk factors: Although anyone can develop melanoma, certain factors increase the risk of disease, such as long-term exposure to strong sunlight, family history, light skin, and immune system abnormalities. Understanding and avoiding these risk factors can help reduce the chance of disease.

4. Importance of regular skin examinations: Regular skin examinations are an effective means of early detection of melanoma. It is recommended to have a professional dermatological examination at least once a year, especially for people with high risk factors.

5. Selection of treatment department and expert: If you are concerned about a spot or mole on your skin, you should go to the dermatology department of a regular hospital.

Although melanoma needs to be taken seriously, excessive self-doubt and panic will not help solve the problem. Through cognition, regular examinations and reasonable prevention and treatment, the risk of disease can be effectively reduced and skin health can be maintained.