What is Melanoma?
Melanoma is one of the most deadly types of skin cancer even though it is the rarest. It's a cancer that begins in the melanocytes and because these affected cells are still producing melanin, melanoma tumors appear to be brown or black. These moles can usually be found on the backs of men and the legs of women. If it is caught at an early stage, it can almost always be cured. However, if allowed to spread to other parts of the body, deadly consequences may arise.
How Deadly is Melanoma?
Even though Melanoma is not the most common skin cancer (accounts for less than 5% of skin cancer cases), it is the most deadliest and accounts for most of the skin cancer deaths (above 73%).
- One person dies every hour from Melanoma
- About 86% of Melanoma cases can be attributed to overexposure of UV radiation
- Melanoma survivors are 9 times as likely as to develop a new Melanoma
- Persons risk for Melanoma doubles if he/she had 5 or more sunburns
Is it Curable?
If caught and treated at an early stage, Melanoma is easily cured. Over a span of 5-years after being diagnosed with Melanoma:
- 98% survival rate if the tumor is detected before spreading
- 62% survival rate if it reaches the lymph nodes
- 16% if the disease metastasizes to distant and nearby organs
Statistics
All graphs belong to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program of the National Cancer Institute.