MELANOMA

is the most serious form of skin cancer that develops when melanocytes (the cells that give skin its pigment) mutate and begin to grow out of control.

Although melanoma is less common than BCC and SCC, it is much more dangerous because of its likeliness to spread to other parts of the body if not caught and treated early.

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Melanocytes are found in the upper layer of the skin. They produce the pigment knows as melanin, which gives skin its color. When the skin is exposed to UV radiation from the sun or indoor tanning sources, the melanocytes produce more melanin which causes the skin to darken or tan. Melanoma occurs when exposure to harmful UV radiation causes damage to the DNA in your skin cells which triggers mutations in the melanocytes, resulting in uncontrolled cellular growth.

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Many other factors also play a role in your risk for melanoma including genetics, skin type or color, hair color, freckling and number of moles on the body. Understanding the causes and risk factors for melanoma will help you prevent or detect it early when it is easiest to treat and cure.

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The ABCDEs and the Ugly Duckling warning signs can help you detect a melanoma at an early stage of the disease.