Painless and quick examination. How to protect yourself from melanoma?

Czerniak develops quickly and gives dangerous metastases. 1,400 people die a year in Poland for this malicious tumor. The chance of recovery is high, provided that early detection and diagnosis. On May 12, it is celebrated as the European Day of Combating Czerniak. It is worth paying attention to disturbing features.

The stories of Mrs. Emilia and Mr. Henry are connected by a common denominator. Diagnosis – melanoma. It is a malignant skin tumor.

– I came across preventive examinations that were announced, and I just didn't like the birthmark – says Mrs. Emilia. – I learned very much on time. Because it was malignant melanoma and diagnosed with a very appropriate moment – he explains.

In turn, Mr. Henryk heard that the change is not melanoma, but that he could cut it out. He did so too. “I didn't like it, it was too big, some other ones,” he confesses.

Only the second histopathological examination, this time at the National Institute of Oncology, confirmed the cancer. Mr. Henryk had the last medicine on May 12.

Prof. Piotr Rutkowski from the Clinic of Cancer of Soft Tissue, Bones and Chernians of the National Oncology Institute in Warsaw informs that about 4.5 thousand new cases of melanoma are recorded annually.

1,400 people die a year in Poland because of this disease. Professor Piotr Rutkowski emphasizes, however, that the early detected skin cancer is almost 100 percent. curable. – Over the past 8 years in Poland, the results of treatment of melanoma patients have improved by about 20 percent – he emphasizes.

What to look for when watching your skin?

However, to give doctors a chance to heal, you need to study and watch your body regularly.

The “Czerniak alphalo”, which gives us tips, which should be a cause for concern. And like asymmetry, B – like banks, uneven, jagged, C – like “color”, or color, D – like “diameter”, i.e. diameter and E – like evolution, i.e. changes in the appearance.

– This change that has been somehow changes. He can start itching, bleeding – explains Dr. Iwona Zakrzewska from the Cancer Clinic of the Białystok Oncology Center.

If such changes occur, a visit to a doctor is a must, but even when nothing happens, at least once a year you need to control the hallmarks.

– to a family doctor. First, you should pick up a referral to a dermatological clinic or oncological surgery, or in our hospital there is a clinic that is without a referral – explains Maria Krotiewicz from the Clinic of Soft Tissue Cancer, Bones and Czerniaks of the National Oncology Institute in Warsaw.

– The patient on a dermatoscopic examination shows us the skin of the whole body, scalp, face skin, which is why we encourage patients to be without makeup – explains Marta Koper from the Dermatology and Venereology clinic of the Białystok Oncology Center.

It is a painless and quite fast test. It is worth going to the test right now, when the skin is still pale after winter. May 12 – on the European Day of Fighting with Czerniak – in the very center of Warsaw you could study in a special bus.

Creams with a filter should also be used, regardless of the season.