Prevention

Do you know that Melanoma can develop at all ages, and it presents one of the highest incidence rates in adults aged 30-40 years?The good news is that the risk factors for melanoma are very well known and therefore can be prevented.

Being aware of these factors allows you to have a few more chances to recognize the disease before it grows and spreads, and when therapeutic treatment has a better chance of having positive effects. Since the first environmental risk factor is overexposure to harmful sun rays, known as ultraviolet rays, by learning how you can protect yourself from these harmful rays can reduce the risk of developing melanoma.

Certain behaviours can reduce, but not entirely remove, the risk of developing skin cancer.

The following is, generally, recommended:

• sunbathe moderately, especially in childhood (up to the age of 20 years), avoiding excesses and the subsequent sunburn that occurs at all ages
• protect the skin, avoiding exposure to the sun during the warmest hours of the day (between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm)
• avoid using tanning lamps or tanning beds
• wear hats and sunglasses, use protective creams
• follow a low fat diet rich in antioxidant substances, such as vitamins A, C, D, E, coenzyme Q and beta-carotene
• attend regular examinations (as recommended by the specialist)

A NEVI evaluation examination is recommended to everybody, starting from the age of 15 years.

Subjects most at risk of developing skin cancer present one or more of the following characteristics:

• pale complexion, blue eyes and blonde or red hair
• several clinically atypical NEVI
• history of recurrent sunburn, especially during adolescence and youth
• personal history of skin cancer
  1st degree relations with skin cancer
• altered immune defences (e.g., subjects submitted to organ transplantation or immunosuppressive therapy)