Symptoms of melanoma skin cancer

Melanoma is the most dangerous skin cancer and kills thousands of people worldwide every year. The symptoms of skin cancer are usually a dark growth that just appears. The growth gets darker and irregular in shape. They often look just like a mole so many people just ignore it. They can sometimes be sore when touched and can have a blueish tint around the edges. Also look out for moles that get darker.

Melanoma skin cancer is caused by UV radiation which cause the pigment cells to be genetically altered and start to grow at an abnormal rate. This cell will affect the surrounding cells and spread to other parts of the body. The skin cancer should be treated within the first 3 months of initial detection otherwise removal will be more difficult.

Melanoma skin cancer is treated with surgery and cells 2cm on all sides of the cancer need to be removed to try and stop the spread of the cancer. Sometimes not all the cancerous cells are removed and further surgery will be required.

Early diagnosis of the symptoms of skin cancer is critical in the effective treatment of skin cancer.