EXPLAINER: What to know about melanoma and skin cancer

May every year is marked as melanoma and skin cancer awareness month.

This provides an opportunity for people to learn about skin cancer and the risks that it poses to individuals.

Its history dates back to May 1995 when the American Academy of Dermatology started observing May as skin cancer awareness month.

During this period, the world comes together to talk about skin cancer, what to know about it and prevention methods that one can undertake and help those in need to receive treatment.

Types of skin cancer

Dr Andrew Odhiambo, a consultant Medical Oncologist, in an interview with the Star, explained the three major types of skin cancers.

"There are three main types of cancer. However, there are other small rare types of cancer. The main ones are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma," Dr Odhiambo said.

In Kenya, Dr Odhiambo says the Kaposi sarcoma type of cancer is very common followed by melanoma.

"Kaposi sarcoma is not a skin cancer but it manifests itself on the skin. Darker skins rarely get the other types of cancer as it tends to be found in lighter skin colours and Caucasians."

According to Dr Odhiambo, sun exposure is mostly common in basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma which are mostly common in Caucasian people.

These types of cancers, he says, are usually not life-threatening and can be managed by simple surgery.

"In black African skin, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are common in people with conditions that have made their skin lighter like albinism, excessive vitiligo and also inherited conditions like Xeroderma pigmentosa but those are very rare," he said.

Skin Cancer cause

Melanoma is a skin cancer that occurs when the pigment-producing cells that give colour to the skin become cancerous. 

"Many of these skin cancers are caused by too much sun exposure, UV radiation, industrial and environmental chemicals,"  Dr Odhiambo said.

World Cancer Research Fund International describe melanoma of the skin as the 17th most common cancer.

"Most people don't know what Melanoma looks like. Any black mark or patch or non-healing wound on the sole of the feet or palm should always raise suspicion. Always go to the doctor when you notice that," he said.

Statistically, WCRF ranks melanoma as the 13th most common cancer in men and the 15th most common cancer in women as stated by WCRF International.

To mitigate skin cancers, Dr Odhiambo avers that one should endeavour to minimise too much exposure to sources of ultraviolet radiation and regular use of sunscreen which he says is key to preventing cancer.

He warns that cancer is that it can spread easily to the lungs and the bones due to poor awareness of how it looks when it is early.

"Regular skin examination is the best way to stay safe and be in the know of any type of skin cancer," states Dr Adhiambo.

"Early recognition and heightened awareness for melanoma is critical for successful treatment. Any time you have a black mark or patch on your feet please see a doctor because advanced melanoma is very hard to treat."