Young People and Melanoma: The Epidemic We’re Ignoring!
Did you know that skin cancer, once a disease mostly seen in older adults, is now increasingly hitting young adults aged 20 to 30? Yes, you read that right! Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is on the rise among the youth, and yet we keep quiet as if nothing is happening.
What is melanoma and why is it dangerous? Melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer caused by uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells. While there are other types of skin cancer, melanoma is the one that worries experts the most because it spreads quickly and can be fatal if not caught early.
Why are young people at risk? The main culprit? Our reckless sunbathing habits! Continuous exposure to UV rays without proper protection damages the skin and increases cancer risk. Young people often skip sunscreen, use tanning beds, and spend hours in the sun without thinking about the consequences.
Spot the signs before it’s too late! Do you know the ABCDE rule? It’s the key to early melanoma detection:
- A (Asymmetry): the mole is not symmetrical
- B (Border): irregular edges
- C (Color): multiple colors in one mole
- D (Diameter): larger than 6 mm
- E (Evolution): changes in size, shape, or color
If you notice any of these signs, don’t wait — see a dermatologist immediately!
Prevention is the best defense! The best cure is prevention. This means daily application of high SPF sunscreen, avoiding tanning beds and excessive sun exposure, and regular skin checks. Did you know early diagnosis often means easier and more successful treatment? Advanced stages require complex and costly therapies.
Treatment: from surgery to advanced therapies If melanoma is caught early, it can be surgically removed, often with minimal intervention. Specialized techniques like Mohs surgery remove the cancer layer by layer with microscopic examination. For advanced cases, more aggressive treatments are used, but success is not guaranteed.
Young people, it’s time to wake up! Your skin is your largest organ and first line of defense. Don’t let carelessness cost you your health or life. Daily protection and awareness can make a huge difference. Don’t wait for problems — schedule a checkup, learn to recognize symptoms, and spread the word among your friends.
And honestly — how many of you actually use sunscreen every day? Come on, admit it in the comments, maybe together we can change this alarming trend!
Source: comphemonc.com, zdravlje.kurir.rs
