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Skin cancer's secrets unveiled
news.com.au ^ | May 8, 2003 | World exclusive by Jen Kelly

Posted on 05/07/2003 10:54:41 AM PDT by HuntsvilleTxVeteran

WORLD-first Melbourne research into a little-known but deadly skin cancer could save thousands of lives.

Australia has the highest rate of melanomas in the world / AP

Up to 350 Australians die a year because of this cancer, which begins as a tiny pink pimple-like tumour.

But breakthrough research is set to shake up how the public and doctors check for melanomas.

Alfred hospital doctors found that nodular melanomas accounted for less than 15 per cent of melanoma cancers but caused up to 70 per cent of the deadliest type, called deep melanomas.

Most people look only for irregular-shaped brown/black spots.

But the research shows the pimple-like melanoma is the most dangerous.

These are often missed at the start – when survival rates are highest – because people have been taught to focus on common melanomas.

Just one severe case of sunburn can cause a nodular melanoma, which can appear anywhere on the body, often the head or neck. It grows much faster than other melanomas, so short delays in treatment can be fatal.

The Alfred hospital has set up a website to help patients tell normal lumps from nodular melanomas.

Almost half of people with nodular melanomas left undetected until they are deep – thicker than 3mm – will die. If detected early, when thinner than 1mm, the survival rate is 95 per cent.

Study co-author Associate Professor John Kelly said the discovery would save many lives if people followed the advice.

"Worldwide, thousands of lives; and in Australia, if it worked perfectly, we're talking 300, 350 lives a year," said Professor Kelly, head of the Alfred's Victorian Melanoma Service.

"It won't be perfect of course but that's the potential. That's the target."

Nodular melanomas are raised from the start.

They are usually red or pink, round or oval, and grow over months.

The Alfred today launches a campaign to alert the public to the dangers and features of nodular melanomas.

Doctors will receive the information through the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the National Divisions of General Practice.

Many GPs cut out melanomas themselves, without referring to a specialist, so training them to spot nodular melanomas is crucial to saving lives.

The research was sparked because Alfred doctors noticed melanoma deaths had not dropped despite massive awareness campaigns.

"In spite of all the advances in early diagnosis, death rates had risen over the last 40 years progressively," Professor Kelly said.

"We've done a very good job detecting common melanomas early, and there's great public awareness, and very good awareness among not only doctors but health care professionals in general.

"But nodular melanomas are clearly a different problem, and that needs to be addressed."

He said they made up 10 to 15 per cent of all melanomas, but accounted for 60 to 70 per cent of high-risk melanomas. High-risk melanomas, or deep melanomas, are those thicker than 3mm, and are the most life-threatening.

"Nodular melanoma is not being detected early. They look different to what we've generally been teaching people," he said.

Australia has the highest rate of melanomas in the world, with 7000 to 8000 found a year.

About 1000 are nodular melanomas and up to 350 will cause death.

About 800 Australians die a year from all types of melanoma.

Professor Kelly said about half of nodular melanomas would become deep, and about 45 per cent of people with deep melanoma would die.

Two Alfred hospital studies revealing the dangers of nodular melanomas have been published in Archives of Dermatology and the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Nodular melanomas can grow to a dangerous thickness in as little as two months, so anyone with a suspect lump for longer than a month is urged to see a GP.

Cancer Council Victoria director Professor David Hill yesterday welcomed the discovery.

"We are lucky in Australia and Victoria to have some of the leading skin cancer researchers in the world, and Professor Kelly is one of them," Professor Hill said.

"This is an important insight to the way in which people and their doctors can become aware of a dangerous form of skin cancer."

Net link: www.alfred.org.au/departments/victorianmelanoma service.html

Or www.sunsmart.com.au


TOPICS: Breaking News; Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: cancer; melanoma; research; skincancer; studies
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To: sinkspur
"Now, of course, we know that sun lamps can cause cancer!"

Hindsight's a wonderful thing, isn't it? Makes you wonder what else that's supposed to be OK will later turn out to be harmful.

Carolyn

21 posted on 05/07/2003 1:17:17 PM PDT by CDHart
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To: HuntsvilleTxVeteran
As someone who has been fighting skin cancer for the last 30 years, I can tell you melanoma is not to be taken lightly! ANY change in your skin should be examined by a dermatologist pronto.

My Dr. has me on a three month recall and he still occasionally has trouble staying ahead of the skin cancers.

Oh, and...

Stay out the tanning booths!!

22 posted on 05/07/2003 1:18:44 PM PDT by upchuck (Contribute to "Republicans for Al Sharpton for President in 2004." Dial 1-800-SLAPTHADONKEY :)
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To: libbylu
I survived a melanoma thanks to a dermotologist who saw just what the article mentions, a small pimple like thingy that I thought nothing of. Surgery, zap of radiation. No more sun for me though, but my skin is happy and undamaged. I swear some of these tanners look like they are wearing a leather coat.
23 posted on 05/07/2003 1:22:31 PM PDT by luckodeirish (Grab the sunblock!)
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To: SamAdams76
I see you have gotten good replies to your question, but let me add that a friend of mine, a black guy, died a number of years ago, from a melanoma on his foot. My doc says many "people of color" get melanoma cause they sort of assume they won't get damage.
24 posted on 05/07/2003 1:25:34 PM PDT by luckodeirish (Grab the sunblock!)
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To: Billthedrill
Personally, I'm melanin-challenged (the result of my ancestors being cave-dwelling Troglodytes and Irishmen) and Mister SunBlock is my gooood buddy, even in Seattle.

Ditto, too much Irish and not enough Am. Indian. Twice I've had chunks of meat cut out (Thigh and neck), fortunately it was basal cell and not melanoma. Still, Mr. Sun is not my friend anymore, and Mr. SPF 50 is my co-pilot.

25 posted on 05/07/2003 1:31:18 PM PDT by Doomonyou
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To: Welsh Rabbit
Only wimps use sunblock!!!
I NEVER use sunblock. Then again, I never stay in sun for longer then absolutely necessary.
26 posted on 05/07/2003 1:59:41 PM PDT by Warren
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To: HuntsvilleTxVeteran
Must make appointment with Dermatologist.
I have both acne and irregularly shaped freckles. Eek!
27 posted on 05/07/2003 3:37:58 PM PDT by rmlew ("Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute.")
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To: BA63
Another fair-skinned squamous cell survivor here. I had one removed from my left cheek, just in front of my ear, under local anesthetic a few years ago. It was not painful except for the initial shot, but very bloody, and since I couldn't wash around the stitches for a week, my hearing was impaired by the blood in my ear until I could take a shower.

No more cancers since then, but I see a dermatologist annually, and generally have 10 or more actinic keratoses (pre-cancerous) treated with liquid nitrogen each time.
28 posted on 05/07/2003 3:56:53 PM PDT by MainFrame65
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To: ravingnutter
I would like more info on skin tags, also. My doctor also says they're nothing to worry about. But there is a major history of skin cancer in my family and I wonder about the tags.
29 posted on 05/07/2003 8:35:10 PM PDT by serinde
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To: ravingnutter
I do NOT think the things called "skin tags" are the problem. My mom has been having those removed for most of her 83 cancer-free years, from her face, neck, and chest. It's those raised, pearly, "pimple-like" things that are worrying me, and maybe I should make an appointment and get them checked. I've had my share of sunning in the past. Has anyone seen a picture of what they're talking about?
30 posted on 05/07/2003 9:07:12 PM PDT by alwaysconservative ("All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke)
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To: HuntsvilleTxVeteran
bump
31 posted on 05/07/2003 9:07:14 PM PDT by Freee-dame
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To: nutmeg
bttt
32 posted on 05/07/2003 10:57:56 PM PDT by nutmeg (USA: Land of the Free - Thanks to the Brave)
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To: luckodeirish
I too dodged a melanoma bullet in 2001.....big one on my back, one positive lymph node in my armpit....all of which are now removed....

The biggest pain was the yearlong chemo (most of 2002) with INTERFERON (makes you feel like you have a perpetual hangover).

Now finally getting back into the real world.

This is no joke folks. One in 70 get it. Risk factors are red hair, freckles, light skin, moles, sun lamps, and severe sunburns when you were a kid. If you are over 30 and have never been to a dermatologist, PLEASE GO IN, just once for at least a background check.

33 posted on 05/07/2003 11:13:46 PM PDT by MichaelDammit
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To: HuntsvilleTxVeteran
As kids we used to peel the dead skin off each other's backs to see who could get the biggest piece. The only protection most folks used back then was a white zinc cream on noses which looked real cool (not).

Also heard that sunscreen needs to be fresh to work at full strength (less than a yr. old if it's been opened).

34 posted on 05/07/2003 11:33:31 PM PDT by budwiesest
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To: alwaysconservative
Has anyone seen a picture of what they're talking about?

There are links on this thread, and from looking at the pictures I see nothing of what you describe. I also have a small lump, not discolored (most of the photos showed red/brown/black spots), that my dermatologist has said is ok.

When in doubt FIND A DR! I had several moles removed a couple of years ago (I am 33) which were undergoing some change but not cancer. They were found during a routine physical. I now get checked every year so that any changes can be detected early.

35 posted on 05/07/2003 11:39:10 PM PDT by Dianna (space for rent)
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To: HuntsvilleTxVeteran
I went where the article said here and the pimple like small skin cancer mostly spoken about in the article is not pictured.
36 posted on 05/07/2003 11:45:58 PM PDT by TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!
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To: Warren
Yep, and the macho men that say this get skin cancer. Farmers, especially.
37 posted on 05/07/2003 11:48:49 PM PDT by TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!
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To: HuntsvilleTxVeteran

So More Are Aware


38 posted on 05/07/2003 11:59:13 PM PDT by TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!
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To: Dianna
Thanks! I posted my note before I read the posts with the links. Sigh. If I could just restrain myself sometimes and read ALL the posts before putting in my two cents' worth, I wouldn't ask so many dumb questions!

The pics WERE very reassuring, but I still think I'm going in to see the doctor, just in case.

Again, thanks!
39 posted on 05/08/2003 4:20:28 AM PDT by alwaysconservative ("All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke)
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To: MainFrame65
I had the "Carrick" (spelling probably off) Cream I had to use for keratoses for a week. Swelled up my arms and turned them orange. Plenty of Nitrogen Blasts for the more stubborn spots.

They actually had to put me under General, that is a weird experience. They gave me some meds to calm me down prior to the surgery, WOW, they have some great medicine. I usually don't take anything stronger than a BC powder.

As soon as they see me walk through the door they break out the Cold Jets, I know what you mean. Stay on top of it! I have become a walking advertisement for Dermatologists nowadays and preach constantly. The only good thing about skin cancer is that it is totally correctable if caught in time.

40 posted on 05/08/2003 6:44:21 AM PDT by BA63
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