[attach id=249198 size="medium"]Make sure you are fully protected in the sun. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier[/attach]

Sitting on the hospital bed with her laptop before her, Emma ruefully flicked through photos of herself swimming and laughing with friends under the Maltese sun. With hindsight, each of those carefree moments were devastating mistakes – by neglecting proper protection, the 23-year-old developed melanoma.

And while Emma is a fictional character featured in a video created by the Malta Medical Students’ Association, her case is a very real one.

For the 14th year running, Malta is joining the rest of Europe in this year’s Euro-Melanoma Day campaign, which aims to raise awareness regarding the deadly skin cancer, essentially brought about by exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun.


617

the number of invasive malignant melanoma cases diagnosed in Malta over the last two decades


Over the last two decades, 617 cases of invasive malignant melanoma have been diagnosed in Malta, with the rate being slightly higher in women. And while it is less common than other skin cancers, it is much more dangerous and causes the majority of deaths related to skin cancer. Within the same period, it claimed 107 lives, translating into a 17.3 per cent mortality rate.

This means that one in six people with melanoma are being diagnosed when it is too late.

According to Lawrence Scerri, chairman of the Department of Dermatology and Venereology, melanoma is highly treatable if detected early. However, the chances of survival once a melanoma spreads are dismal.

The risk of developing melanoma is higher on somebody with fair skin, freckles and numerous moles. Repeated sunburn, especially in childhood and adolescence and a family history of mela­noma can also contribute to a higher risk.

“Many people unfortunately still perceive a suntan as a symbol of attractiveness and good health. However, a suntan is merely a sign of UV damage and re­presents the skin’s attempt to minimise further damage,” Health Promotion director Charmaine Gauci said.

She also pointed out the cosmetic damage of UV rays, resulting in the premature ageing of the skin in the form of wrinkles, blemishes, coarseness, broken veins and scaly patches.

People are encouraged to avoid sun exposure between 11am and 4pm, wear more clothing at the beach (hats and light coloured, cotton T-shirts), seek shade (even while carrying out activities such as hanging clothes) and use sunscreen.

The sun may also damage the eyes and cause cancers and cataracts.

Dr Gauci emphasised the need to protect children, since their skin is especially delicate and cumulative damage can significantly raise the risk of developing melanoma when they reach adulthood.

People with changing moles or suspicious pigmented scars are this week being urged to call the Dermatology Department at Boffa Hospital, to set up an appointment for melanoma screening on Monday.

Appointments can be set up by calling 2298 7105 or 2298 7153 and are on a first come first serve basis.

‘Treat with suspicion’

‘New’ moles are common and harmless in children and adolescents. However, they should be treated with suspicion when they first appear in adults.

The ABCDE criteria provide a useful guide for diagnosing melanoma:

A: Asymmetry (melanoma is asymmetrical)
B: Border (melanoma has an irregular border)
C: Colour (melanoma consists of more than one shade)
D: Diameter (melanoma is usually larger than 6mm)
E: Evolution (recent change in size, shape and colour, spontaneous bleeding and irritation)

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