Melanoma Awareness Days 2023: free screening in May

It is no coincidence that Melanoma Awareness Days are held every spring. The period before the active sunbathing season is the right time to have your moles examined and to review the principles of sun safety. Although sunlight has positive, mood-enhancing effects, exposure to it can also be dangerous.

New pigmented spots may appear on the skin following sun exposure. However, not every pigmented lesion is a harmless mole, and some changes may indicate melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer. To enjoy the sun safely, it is important to make sure that skin lesions do not show signs of a potential problem.

The aim of Melanoma Awareness Days is to improve public understanding of the risk factors and prevalence of melanoma and the measures people can take to protect themselves. Approximately 200 new cases are diagnosed in Latvia each year, and around 70 cases have a fatal outcome.

Early diagnosis is one of the main factors determining successful treatment and can save lives.

Melanoma Awareness Days 2023

This year's free Melanoma Awareness Day screening will take place at Med Art clinic in Riga on 11 May 2023. All appointments have already been booked. Throughout May, free skin lesion examinations are also available to people aged 65 and over. For other age groups, the discounted price of a skin lesion examination is EUR 10.

Appointments can be made only by calling the clinic on +371 28699111. Available consultation dates and times will be offered during the call.

From a mole to melanoma

Both moles and melanomas arise from cells called melanocytes. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation is one of the most important preventable risk factors for melanoma. Although sunbathing outdoors may seem harmless, excessive UV exposure can contribute to the development of malignant skin tumours. Sunburn and the use of tanning beds also increase the risk. UV radiation can cause cell mutations and DNA damage.

A mole that is repeatedly irritated, rubbed or injured should also be assessed by a doctor. A dermatologist may recommend removing lesions located in areas exposed to persistent friction, such as the soles of the feet or places where clothing fastens.

Other risk factors include fair skin, light-coloured eyes and hair, as well as a family history of melanoma.

When should you be concerned?

To assess whether a mole has features that may indicate melanoma, dermatologists recommend using the ABCDE rule:

A – asymmetry. If an imaginary line drawn through the centre of a mole reveals that one half differs in shape or size from the other, the mole should be examined.

B – border. Moles with irregular, notched or poorly defined borders should be assessed by a dermatologist.

C – colour. Pigmented lesions can vary in colour, from very light to dark brown, but an uneven distribution of colour may be a warning sign. A mole containing several colours, dark spots or reddish areas should be examined by a dermatologist.

D – diameter. A mole with a diameter greater than 6 mm may require closer assessment. However, melanoma can also be smaller than 6 mm, and people with many moles may need regular monitoring.

E – evolving. Changes in a mole over time, including changes in its size, shape or colour, or the development of bleeding, scaling or crusting, should be assessed by a dermatologist.

Start the sunbathing season responsibly – get checked!

Moles should be examined at least once a year and, where appropriate, both before and after the active sunbathing season. Anyone can develop melanoma, but people with fair skin who tend to burn rather than tan have a higher risk. Although melanoma was once regarded mainly as a disease affecting people over 50, it is increasingly diagnosed in younger adults, including those in their thirties and forties.

A dermatologist initially assesses suspicious moles using dermoscopy. If a lesion appears suspicious, it may be removed or biopsied and examined under a microscope to determine whether malignant cells are present. Digital mole mapping may also be recommended to monitor lesions and improve the early detection of melanoma.