Your doctor will give you a physical exam and ask for your medical history in order to diagnose you with melanoma. He will then examine the color and size of the moles or growths on your skin and check for enlarged lymph nodes. In most cases, a biopsy of the suspicious growth will be taken. Other tests include a complete blood count, chest X-ray, and urine test.Treatment of melanoma usually focuses on surgical removal of the growth and a border of healthy tissue surrounding it. Removing the healthy surrounding tissue ensures that the cancer is gone.
For cases of advanced melanoma, surgery may be performed in conjunction with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and/or immunotherapy.
You can lower your risk for melanoma by using a suncreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 or higher when you are in the sun. Be aware of the early warning signs of melanoma and consult your doctor if you suspect you may have it.
