The dermatologist and representative of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV), Elena Godoy, has warned about the danger of melanoma and has emphasized that «there is no healthy tanning,» as it is «a defense mechanism of the skin against aggression.»
«Learning good habits and instilling them in children can change the future of skin cancer,» Godoy said on the occasion of World Melanoma Day, celebrated this Friday.
These recommendations are featured in the video ‘What is melanoma?’, a piece published by the Más Que Ideas Foundation with the aim of providing preventive guidelines and identifying risk situations that may lead to the development of this skin cancer.
The animated video also highlights the importance of early detection and treatment of this disease, as well as the quality of life of patients and their families.
In Spain, melanoma has an incidence of 15 cases per 100,000 people and is responsible for up to 1,000 deaths per year, according to data from the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV), a medical entity that collaborates in this Foundation initiative.
In this sense, Godoy, national coordinator of the Euromelanoma Campaign of the AEDV, explains what a healthy sun exposure entails, including hydration, seeking shade, using clothing and sunglasses as a barrier, and applying sunscreen protection against UVA and UVB radiation. All this while avoiding the most problematic sun exposure time: between 12 and 5 pm.
The video ‘What is melanoma?’ also emphasizes early detection as a key action to improve the prognosis of this type of skin cancer. Therefore, Godoy suggests that skin self-examination should be included in health routines, as it allows for checking moles and observing if there are any problematic changes since «moles grow and mature with us, so not all changes should be concerning,» the dermatologist affirms.
As she explains, it is essential to seek medical consultation if a mole is different from the rest, grows on the surface like an oil stain, or presents wounds or spontaneous bleeding. «If this happens, we should consult our doctor who, if they consider it problematic, will refer us for a dermatological evaluation for diagnosis and appropriate treatment,» she reminds.
For all these reasons, the Más Que Ideas Foundation wanted to take this action on World Melanoma Day to share recommendations and «keys that are often little known or about which there is quite a bit of misinformation,» emphasizes Diego Villalón, co-founder and social worker of this organization.
«In this video, we address possible doubts and share useful information for skin care, treatments, and guidelines to improve the well-being of those living with this disease.» It also reminds us that «early diagnosis of melanoma is crucial, so this video also teaches how to identify changes in the skin that should prompt us to consult with the medical team,» he detailed.
This Foundation initiative has had the collaboration of the Melanoma Spain association, the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV), the Spanish Melanoma Group (GEM), and the Spanish Society of Radiotherapeutic Oncology (SEOR). Additionally, it has had the support of the companies Bristol Myers Squibb and MSD.
