Sarah Ferguson, the former wife of British royalty Prince Andrew, has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of skin cancer. Ferguson was initially diagnosed with breast cancer last year, and during her treatment, it was found that she had also developed malignant melanoma.
According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service, melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can spread to other parts of the body, and its main cause is ultraviolet light. Since her breast cancer diagnosis, Ferguson has openly advocated for enhanced awareness of cancer and the importance of early detection through timely screenings. In that spirit, the team of OnlyMyHealth spoke to Dr Pratik Patil, Consultant-Medical Oncologist, Jupiter Hospital, Pune, to know more about the early signs of melanoma.
Early Signs Of Melanoma
According to a study published in JAMA Dermatology, the most commonly diagnosed group of cancers across the world are skin cancers. worldwide. Malignant melanomas, although a rare type of skin cancer, account for almost one in five of these cancers, with approximately 3,25,000 cases in 2020. The study conducted by researchers from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) further found that out of all the people diagnosed worldwide, almost 57,000 people died from melanoma.
Explaining why melanoma treatment can be challenging, Dr Patil stated, “Skin cancer is often misdiagnosed because its early signs can be subtle and resemble harmless conditions like warts, cysts, eczema, or benign moles.”
Talking about the early signs of skin cancer, Dr Patil said “The most common symptom of skin cancer is a new spot or mole on the skin.” Listing other common signs, he shared:
- Non-healing sores
- Red or pink patches
- Rough or scaly skin
- Persistent dry skin
- Cauliflower-like or velvet growths
- Changes in the size, shape, colour, and texture of existing moles
- Bleeding from existing moles
Melanoma Diagnosis
The only hope for saving yourself from the dire circumstances of skin cancer is to catch it as early as possible. To help you with the same, the American Cancer Society said, ‘You should know the pattern of moles, blemishes, freckles, and other marks on your skin so that you’ll notice any new growths or changes in existing moles or other spots.’
Dr Patil also informed about the risk factors of skin cancer. If you have any of these risk factors, you need to keep a vigilant eye on skin changes:
- A family history of cancer
- Heavy exposure to direct sunlight, like people working outdoors
- Frequent tanning in sunbeds
- People who undergo repeated trauma to the skin like carpenters, painters, woodworkers, and electricians
If you are curious about how skin cancer is diagnosed, Dr Patil also listed the tests you may have to undergo:
- Biopsy: This is a semi-surgical procedure in which a small sample of suspected tissue is removed from your skin and analysed at a cancer laboratory.
- Dermatoscopy: This technique uses a device with a high-magnifying lens and a lighting system that helps close inspection of moles and skin lesions.
- Imaging Tests: To assess if your skin cancer has advanced to other organs of the body, CT scans, MRI scans, or PET scans may be recommended.
Sarah Ferguson is undergoing treatment for malignant melanoma right now. Her cancer diagnosis has opened up a conversation about skin cancer and the need to be vigilant about keeping up to date with any underlying medical issues that may be developing beneath the surface. That is why it is important for you to prioritise regular self-examinations, professional skin checks, and sun protection measures.