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Educate Yourself
The Experts answer your questions
Click on a topic to the left for answers to commonly asked questions about melanoma. The information in this section has been compiled from referenced sources as well as from the MRA's melanoma experts.
THE BASICS
Q. What can I do to help reduce my risk of developing melanoma?
A. To reduce melanoma risk you should limit your exposure to the sun, especially during its peak period between 10:00am -3:00pm; always use sunscreen with sun protection factor (SPF) 30 or higher; and wear protective clothing, like a wide-brimmed hat, long sleeves, pants and even sunglasses. Exposure to the ultraviolet light from tanning beds can also cause skin cancer and premature aging. See Prevention/Sunscreen and Tanning Beds for more information.
Q. Is melanoma and skin cancer the same thing?
A. Melanoma is a skin cancer, but there are three major types of skin cancer: basel cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma, which is the most serious form of skin cancer. See Diagnosis for more information.
Q. Can you treat skin cancer?
A. Basel cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer, and squamous cell carcinoma are easily treated when caught early. With early diagnosis and treatment, the chances of recovery with melanoma are very good. If it is NOT found early, melanoma can spread to other parts of the body and is difficult to treat. See Treatment for more information.
Q. Why are you focusing on research?
A. Research is needed in all areas relating to melanoma. The incidence of melanoma is rising and one person dies every hour in the U.S. due to melanoma. If it is not diagnosed at an early stage when surgery is curative, the melanoma can spread, also referred to as “metastasize”. The median lifespan of a patient with metastatic melanoma is less than a year. See Research for more information.
Q. Who gets melanoma?
A. While some people are more susceptible to melanoma, everyone is at risk. See Incidence for more information.