Melanoma Explained

What is a Melanoma? 什么是黑色素瘤？

A melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It grows from special cells in the skin called melanocytes. A melanoma is usually brown or blackish in colour and looks like a freckle, mole or spot. They can begin in moles, but most begin in normal skin.

Who gets Melanoma?

About 1 in 60 people will get melanoma. It is seen most often in people aged 30-50 years, but it can occur in younger people. People at increased risk are those with:

· Several dark moles

· Freckles

· Fair white skin

· Skin that reacts to sunlight(burns easily and does not tan)

Why do they occur?

We do not know why all of them begin, but they are much more likely to occur in people who have a lot of exposure to the sun. Queenslanders have one of the highest rates of melanoma in the world. In spite of this, they do not only occur in areas exposed to the sun – they occur all over the body.

How do I know if I have a melanoma?

Only a few moles go on to become melanomas. Any changes that occur in a mole should raise suspicion. Changes may include:

· Any change in the colour of the mole

· An increase in size, or spread to surrounding skin

· Thickening of the mole

· Bleeding

· Itching

In fact, any change in a mole may be a warning, and should be discussed with your doctor.

What can be done?

Once suspicion is raised about a mole, it should be removed by your doctor. It will then be sent away to be looked at under a microscope, to check if it is a melanoma. Further treatment depends on the result of this test.

Can it be cured?

If melanomas are removed early, they can be completely cured. Over 95% of patients are cured with early removal.

Early detection of a melanoma, basal-cell carcinoma and squamous-cell carcinoma decreases morbidity and mortality, and therefore result in better prognosis of malignant skin tumours. The typical application of dermoscopy is early detection of melanoma.

Dermoscopy is also use to diagnose other types of skin tumours such as basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, cylindromas, dermatofibromas, angiomas, seborrheic keratosis etc.

It is also used in the diagnosis of scabies and pubic louse. This is achieved by staining the skin with India ink. A dermatoscope can help identify the location of the mite in the burrow, facilitating scraping of the scabetic burrow. The dermatoscope can magnify the very small, difficult to see pubic louse, allowing fast and accurate diagnosis and hence, the treatment.

Suspicious moles can be excised by a doctor for biopsy and histology.

William Li - Can we eat to starve cancer?

William Li presents a new way to think about treating cancer and other diseases: anti-angiogenesis, preventing the growth of blood vessels that feed a tumor. The crucial first (and best) step: Eating cancer-fighting foods that cut off the supply lines and beat cancer at its own game.

Prevention is the best cure!

To decrease your chances of getting a melanoma, you should protect yourself from the sun. These rules should be followed:

· Try to avoid direct sunlight when the sun is strongest (from 10 am to 3 pm standard time, i.e. from 11 am to 4 pm daylight-saving time).

· Always wear a broad-brimmed hat and T-shirt in the sun.

· Use a factor 15+ sunscreen on exposed skin and renew it regularly.

· Sunbaking might give you a good tan, but it is also going to increase your chances of getting melanoma, and so you should avoid it.

Please seek Medical attention as soon as possible if you are unsure of you or your family's health condition.

* The images of cancerous and benign moles are courtesy of the book 'Dermoscopy' and are for educational purposes only. Kindly consult your doctor if you are unsure or suffering from any medical problems.

Health Assessment & Screening Packages

Health Assessment

Health Screening Packages

Sinopharm COVID-19 & Latest Influenza Vaccines (Protects against Flu and H1N1 Viruses) / PCR COVID Testing / Serology Tests for Travellers & Serology Testing to Certify Vaccination status. Make your Appointment at Tel: 6694 1661

TEDxUF - Eva Vertes - A New Approach to Cancer

EVA VERTES was first recognized for her research during high school, when she conducted Alzheimer's research for which she received the top award in medicine at the 2002 Intel International Science Fair. She has since focused on cancer, trying to understand the built-in mechanisms the body uses to prevent against cancer and how we might be able to use these principles to guide the development of novel, effective cancer treatments -- maybe even a cure. She received a degree in molecular biology from Princeton University in 2007, then spent 2 years working full-time in a cancer research lab at Weill Cornell Medical College, and is currently pursuing her MD at the University of Florida. Eva Vertes is perhaps best known for presenting at the 2005 TED conference when she was only 19 years old.

Learn what is Cancer, Skin Cancer-Types, Causes & Prevention, Melanomas Explained & Detecting Skin Cancer with Dermoscopy.

What is Cancer?

Skin Cancer - Types, Causes & Prevention

Melanomas Explained

Detecting Skin Cancer with Dermoscopy

Up to $400 per Medisave Account per year can be used for Vaccinations under the National Adult & Childhood Immunisation Schedule - Influenza, Pneumococcal (PCV13/PPSV), Human Papillomavirus (HPV2/HPV4), Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis (Tdap), Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) and Chickenpox (Varicella)

Part of the National Influenza Sentinel Surveillance programme with MOH. If you have a fever of > 38 degrees with a cough, our clinic is able to test for COVID-19. For children below 12 years old with clinical diagnosis of HFMD (eg fever, oral ulcers, rash), our clinic can test for Hand Foot & Mouth Disease (The tests are for surveillance purposes only).

Skin Problems - Treatment for Allergies, Dermatitis, Eczema & Urticaria/Hives

Allergy in your Baby

Treatment for Contact Dermatitis

Treatment for Atopic Ezcema

What is Urticaria or Hives?

Eczema & Dermatitis non-steroid Treatment for Allergy with Excimer Laser

Excimer laser is a novel mode of phototherapy with verified efficacy in treating skin conditions such as vitiligo, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, alopecia areata, allergic rhinitis, folliculitis, granuloma annulare, lichen planus, mycosis fungoides, palmoplantar pustulosis, pityriasis alba, CD30+ lympho proliferative disorder, leukoderma, prurigo nodularis, localized scleroderma and genital lichen sclerosus.

- Different applications of monochromatic excimer light in skin diseases - PubMed (nih.gov)

Groups at Higher Risk for Severe Illness in a COVID-19 Infection

Comorbidities & Underlying Health Conditions in COVID-19 Patients with Complications

高血压
糖尿病
脑血管疾病
心血管疾病
慢性肺部疾病
慢性肾病
哮喘
失智
慢性神经系统疾病
癌症
风湿病
肥胖
抽烟
慢性血液系统疾病/血红蛋白血液疾病
肝病/乙型肝炎感染
营养不良
免疫缺陷/免疫功能低下，例如 HIV AIDS
65岁及以上的人

(Ref: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41430-020-0642-3.pdf, Dailymail.co.uk, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32320003/, Comorbidity and its impact on 1590 patients with Covid-19 in China: A Nationwide Analysis https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/early/2020/03/17/13993003.00547-2020

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Co-infection of COVID-19 with other infectious diseases is possible

Reduce your risk of getting sick with COVID-19

Make sure your vaccinations are up-to-date. People older than 65 years, and those with many underlying conditions, such as those who are immunocompromised or with significant liver disease, are recommended to receive vaccinations against Influenza and pneumococcal disease (PCV). Click here for Vaccination schedules (NAIS/NCIS).
Do not delay getting medical care for your underlying condition because of COVID-19. MD International Medical Centre has contingency MOH infection prevention protocols to protect you from getting COVID-19 if you need care for your underlying condition.
Continue your medications and do not change your treatment plan without talking to your doctor.
Make sure that you have at least a two-week supply of your chronic disease medications.
Call MDIMC @ Tel: 6694 1661 for a medical appointment if you have any concerns about your underlying medical conditions or if you get sick. Our clinic is a PHPC-accredited medical clinic. Under the MOH Swab & Go Home programme, our doctors can do a COVID-19 PCR Swab test if you meet the MOH medical crtieria.

Dermatology Problems - Treatment of Acne, Dry Skin, Warts, Corns & Calluses on Feet

How to Get Rid of Acne

Dry Skin Care Tips

What are Warts?

Treatment for Corns, Calluses & Warts on Feet

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The information provided in this website is for knowledge purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice.

Should you encounter any medical problem that you are unsure of, always consult your doctor or health care provider for assistance and medical advice.

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