A Lifetime of Healthy Skin: Protecting Yourself Now from Melanoma

1. In the past 30 years, the percentage of people who develop Melanoma has more than doubled.
2. Eighty percent of lifetime sun exposure occurs before age eighteen.
3. The sun cannot be overestimated as the most important cause of Melanoma.
4. It only takes one or two case of severe sunburns to double the risks of developing Melanoma.
5. Teaching sun safety is key to reducing the risk of Melanoma.
6. More than 80% of skin cancer deaths are caused by Melanoma.
7. Artificial sun also increases the risk of Malignant Melanoma.
8. Melanoma risks among fair skinned people that visit tanning beds are even higher.
9. Early detection is critical to removing skin cancer before it comes into contact with lymph and blood vessels.
10. Genetic factors, such as inheriting prominent moles and atypical moles are also high risk factors for developing Melanoma.

	Manda Liane Matthews
Homepage	A Lifetime of Healthy Skin: Protecting Yourself Now from
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Portfolio	10 Important Things to Know About Melanoma
About Me	1. In the past 30 years, the percentage of people who develop Melanoma has more than doubled. 2. Eighty percent of lifetime sun exposure occurs before age eighteen. 3. The sun cannot be overestimated as the most important cause of Melanoma. 4. It only takes one or two case of severe sunburns to double the risks of developing Melanoma. 5. Teaching sun safety is key to reducing the risk of Melanoma. 6. More than 80% of skin cancer deaths are caused by Melanoma. 7. Artificial sun also increases the risk of Malignant Melanoma. 8. Melanoma risks among fair skinned people that visit tanning beds are even higher. 9. Early detection is critical to removing skin cancer before it comes into contact with lymph and blood vessels. 10. Genetic factors, such as inheriting prominent moles and atypical moles are also high risk factors for developing Melanoma.
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	Research Information

	An example of Malignant Melanoma	An atypical mole that could be cancerous.
	Melanoma is the "most lethal skin cancer (Cannistra)." Most young adults do not take skin cancer seriously as a health issue that could catch up with them as they age. The "Ten Important Facts" listed above prove that it is essential for people to protect their skin from the sun early in life, to prevent Melanoma later in life. Melanoma is an avoidable, and yet common skin cancer. Melanoma is a malignant tumor that originates in pigment-producing cells. Melanoma is spotted in atypical moles that can be fuzzy, pebbled or bumpy. These moles usually contain shades of pink or brown, characterized by a "fried egg" center like the example above. Self exams and identification are very important to yielding the progression of Melanoma in atypical moles. The best prevention method is to protect one's self from harmful sunrays. Targeting an audience of tan seekers and young adults that don't understand the outcomes of sun damage, this webpage seeks to educate and inform.
	Click here to view my research on Melanoma in full text.
	Useful Websites
	The Melanoma Education Foundation	National Cancer Institute: Cancer.gov
	The site contains helpful examples of atypical moles, and descriptions of skin irregularities.	This site explains the origins and fine details of Melanoma, and how it can be prevented.
	MelanomaNet	Melanoma...The ABC's
	This site explains, in detail, how to conduct self-examinations. This site explains how genetic factors may be risk factors.	This interactive site thoroughly explains sun safety, and provides visitors with a Melanoma knowledge test.

	Contact me at mlmatthe@email.unc.edu
	Last Updated 18 April 2004

Manda Liane Matthews