It’s on Hollywood
legend Marilyn Monroe’s lower left cheek, on supermodel Cindy Crawford’s left
upper lip, and on the outer left eye of Filipino actor Piolo Pascual. “It” is a
mole, or beauty mark, that noticeable spot on your face that enhances your attractiveness
and makes you uniquely you.
Sometimes, though,
a “mole” can be a symptom of a serious health concern.
“Most moles, dark
spots, and skin growths are harmless,” says Donna Marie L. Sarrosa, MD of the Dermatology & Phototherapy Center of top hospital in the
Philippines, Makati Medical Center
(MakatiMed). “Unfortunately, some growths tend to be mistaken for moles
when they’re actually melanoma, a form of skin cancer that begins in the
melanocytes, or the cells responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that
gives our skin its color.”
Can Filipinos get
skin cancer? While skin cancer is associated with Caucasians, given that they
produce less melanin, Asians aren’t exempt from developing the disease.
“According to data from the Philippine Dermatological Society, about 2,700
Filipinos were diagnosed with skin cancer between the years 2011 and 2021—2,102
had basal cell skin cancer and 614 had squamous cell skin cancer,” Dr. Sarrosa
points out.
As for melanoma,
new and unusual growths can appear anywhere on the body, including your eyes
and internal organs. “Inspect often-missed areas. Darker-skinned folks like
Filipinos can get them on their back, nails, or soles of their feet,” advises
Dr. Sarrosa. “About 30 percent of melanomas start off as moles, so it’s
important to keep track of growths that didn’t use to be there or that change
over time.”
Constant exposure
to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays is said to be the cause of skin cancer, but
the likelihood of you getting it increases too if you have a family history of
skin cancer, many moles, and a weak immune system.
The ABCDEs of melanoma. So, how do you know it’s melanoma—or just a
plain old mole? “When assessing a suspicious growth, remember ABCDE, an acronym
by the American Academy of Dermatology,” says Dr. Sarrosa.
“Look for Asymmetry, or if one half of the growth
doesn’t match the other half. Check out the Border or the edges of the growth; a melanoma is not smooth. A
melanoma’s Color comes in uneven
shades of brown, black, gray, red, or white. Furthermore, its Diameter is bigger than a pencil
eraser. Melanomas are also Evolving,
meaning they change in size, shape, and color from the first time you noticed
them.”
Melanomas are
diagnosed with dermoscopy or total body mapping to check lesions on the skin.
If found to be malignant, your doctor will request imaging tests like a CT
scan, MRI, or PET scan to gauge the stage of the skin cancer.
The results of
these tests determine the most appropriate approach to treatment. “Like other
types of cancer, melanoma’s treatment options include surgery, radiotherapy,
targeted therapy (oral medication that specifically attacks cancer cells), and
immunotherapy (a treatment that strengthens your immune system to fight cancer
cells),” explains Dr. Sarrosa.
Observing healthy
habits can help reduce your risk of developing melanomas. “Keep away from the
sun, particularly between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm, when the UV rays are at
their harshest,” says Dr. Sarrosa. “Apply a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher and reapply
if you’re swimming or sweating a lot outdoors. Wear hats, light-colored
long-sleeved shirts and pants, and sunglasses to protect yourself from the
sun’s rays.”
Early detection can
also curb skin cancer’s growth and spreading. “If spotted early enough,
melanomas have a 99 percent cure rate,” Dr. Sarrosa assures, “so it pays to
check yourself regularly for any new and unusual growths, and to advise your
family physician about suspicious ‘moles.’”
For more information, please
contact MakatiMed On-Call at +632.88888 999, email mmc@makatimed.net.ph, or visit www.makatimed.net.ph. Follow @IamMakatiMed on Facebook and Twitter.
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