A Clinician’s Guide to Skin Melanoma and When to Refer Clients to a Specialist

Skin melanoma is one of the most deadly forms of cancer and an aesthetician should be aware of it and know when to refer clients to a physician, especially a specialist.
Of course most know that  skin cancer is the most common form of cancer seen  in the United States, Almost  800,000 Americans are diagnosed each year with some form of skin cancer, with many believing that the common exposure to the sun we all experience is the reason for skin cancer frequency. There are three primary types of skin cancer: are basal-cell carcinoma, squamous-cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma. The two most common types are Basal-cell and squamous-cell carcinomas, and they are rarely  life-threatening. With proper treatment they are usually curable.

The third type of skin cancer is known as malignant melanoma and is much less common but it is far more dangerous. If it is not detected early and treated rapidly  malignant melanoma can quickly turn lethal. Statistics  compiled by the American Cancer Society show that more than 34,000  people develop malignant melanoma each year, and every year more than 7,000 people will die from the disease. It is thought that in the future about one out of every hundred people will America will develop this form of cancer.

Malignant melanoma most often begins in the melanocytes, skin cells which produce melanin. This is the dark protective pigment that is responsible for dark skin and suntans. The melanin in the skin increases with exposure to sunlight and forms a protective layer. When the  melanocytes become cancerous  they grow at an uncontrollable rate. They continue to produce melanin which means that melanomas characteristically have a dark pigmentation. They can be tan, brown, or black, or a  mix several of these shades.
Sometimes melanoma will appear on skin that was previously unblemished, but more commonly it begins on or near the site of a pre-existing mole or a dark spot.

The most important risk factor for developing any kind of skin cancer which of course includes  malignant melanoma, is excessive sun exposure. Those who have fair skin, blue or green eyes and red or blond hair are more susceptible but the sun has damaging effects on the skin cells of everyone regardless of skin or hair color. If you see an unusual growth that you suspect may be melanoma don’t panic, but do inform your client of the potential risk and emphasis the importance of an immediate trip to their doctor for a check up. You may save a life.