Summer is coming, and between the beach, pool and walks, people are usually exposed to the sun more than at any other time of the year. Some people even spend hours tanning to make their skin look tan. However, great care must be taken, especially depending on each person’s skin type.
A great risk factor is freckles and moles, and people who have this element have between seven and ten times the risk of developing melanoma. According to the Hospital Clínic Barcelona, although melanoma is the least common skin cancer, it is the most dangerous, since it is responsible for 80% of deaths. There are many types of freckles and moles, but whatever this type, you must be especially careful with the sun. Ephelides are those small freckles that appear on the cheeks or nose during the summer and disappear in winter. They are mainly found in boys and girls, and are a risk factor for skin cancer in adulthood.
If you have a child who has freckles, you should protect him more than one who does not have freckles.
Freckles that are permanent, unlike ephelides, do not disappear. They are a consequence of sunburn, and indicate that the skin has been burned or has not repaired the damage from the sun. They are also a risk factor for skin cancer. Moles, on the other hand, have more volume, and are darker or more pigmented. If they are born, they may have some darker hair. People with fifty or more moles have a seven to ten times greater risk of developing melanoma; The probability is multiplied by 15 if the person has more than 200 moles.
Dr. Susana Puig, head of the Dermatology Service at Hospital Clínic Barcelona, points out that moles only increase the risk of melanoma, while freckles increase the risk of all types of skin cancer. Dr. Puig emphasizes the protection of the little ones: “If you have a child who has freckles, you have to protect him more than one who doesn’t have freckles,” she emphasizes.
Having freckles or moles is not synonymous with having cancer. But people with this characteristic should check their body periodically to make sure there is nothing out of the ordinary. “We always recommend self-exploration or exploration as a couple. We must look at our body from the front and back,” recommends the expert. Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to all the points and nooks, since, sometimes, melanomas can appear under the nails, in the mouth or in the eyes.
When we are talking about malignant skin tumors, it is very important to establish a careful diagnosis to know what should be done in each case.
If there is a lesion that does not heal, persists, grows or changes, or a mole that becomes inflamed, peeling, bleeding, itchy or painful, you should visit a dermatologist. It is essential that the freckles are round and of a single color. If they have irregular edges or have any asymmetry, it is a warning sign. Sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish a freckle from a melanoma, so when in doubt, it is best to consult a professional. Dr. Josep Malvehy, dermatologist at Hospital Clínic Barcelona, explains: “When we are talking about malignant skin tumors, it is very important to establish a careful diagnosis to know what should be done in each case.”
Only 30% of melanomas originate from a pre-existing mole; In 70% of cases, melanoma appears again. Thus, these spots do not have to be a sign of imminent alarm, although specialists do recommend checking the body in case more appear. The most important thing, freckles or not, is to protect yourself from the sun all year round to minimize the risk of developing skin cancer.
Cancer detection
The ABCDE rule for early diagnosis:
TO
asymmetry: half of the freckle is not equal to the other half.
b
edge: the contour is uneven, blurry or jagged.
c
color: there are different shades in the same freckle.
d
in diameter: measures more than 6 mm or grows.
AND
of evolution: the freckle changes size or shape.
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