Spot any differences

With rates of malignant melanoma expected to treble over the next 30 years, it’s time we started looking after our skin properly

GIVEN THAT skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Ireland – it is estimated that one in six people will develop it at some stage in their life – it is a simple fact that we all should be taking better care of our skin.

However, as most of the sun damage we suffer takes place before the age of 20, for many covering up this summer won’t necessarily reduce their risk of contracting skin cancer. But, as skin cancer is largely treatable if caught in time – 90 per cent of early melanoma cases can be cured for example – the increasing use of techniques aimed at identifying changes in the skin is something which should be of interest to us all.

There are two types of skin cancer – non-melanoma, which usually occurs in people who spend or have spent a lot of time playing or working outdoors and, if caught early, is can be cured; and melanoma, or malignant melanoma. This is the most serious form of skin cancer and, if not detected, can quickly spread to other parts of your body. It usually appears as a mole or freckle.

In 2008, there were 8,000 cases of skin cancer reported in Ireland, of which less than 1,000 were melanoma. However, it has been estimated that malignant melanoma rates may treble over the next 30 years.

Dr Cal Condon, consultant dermatologist in the Blackrock Clinic and Clane General, says if picked up early, melanoma is “almost always curable”. If it gets the time to spread, however, it can be “lethal”, he adds.

The message from the Irish Cancer Society is to get to know your body, and check your moles regularly for any change – Condon recommends you carry out a self-assessment once every three months.

Rosemary Scott, health promotion officer with the Irish Cancer Society, urges people to look out for any change in colour, size or shape of a mole or freckle, following the A-B-C-D guidelines:

• Asymmetry – any change in the shape of mole or freckle.

• Border irregularity – any change in the edges.

• Colour variety – different shades of colour on the same mole or freckle.

Diameter – most melanomas are 6mm or more, so moles should be around the size of the eraser on top of a pencil.

Another option is to use a mole mapping chart, such as that provided on my-skincheck.com, to help you familiarise yourself with your skin, and make it easier to identify any changes.

Finally, an easier, albeit more expensive, method of checking your moles is to avail of technological advances, such as “mole mapping” machines.

“Essentially, it is total body photography, where you can take an overview, mark moles you find suspicious, magnify those close up, and then put these close-ups through a software programme. This assesses the mole and makes a relative prediction that it is benign or malignant,” says Condon, adding that the process is also very educational for the patient, as they are talked through each moles and informed about what is being looked for throughout the procedure.

Clinics frequently store any images taken, which means that they can be used for comparison and to identify any changes. If a mole is diagnosed as being suspicious, you will be referred to a plastic surgeon for its removal.

According to Condon, mole mapping “won’t change the risks in getting skin cancer, but will hopefully help detect it early”, while Scott adds that there is “certainly a place for it”, although she notes that it can be expensive.

In Dublin’s Beacon Clinic, mole mapping costs €200, while at the Charter Medical Group in Smithfield, Dublin, the procedure costs €160, and in the Blackrock Clinic it is between €200 and €250.

Another option is to consider MoleMate, which is a handheld scanner and software which also aids in the detection of many types of suspicious lesions at the early stages. At Body Benefits Medical Laser and Skincare Clinic in Galway, the procedure takes 30 minutes and costs €50.

If you wish to get your moles mapped professionally and have private health insurance, you should note that you may be entitled to a partial refund of the cost.

At VHI, mole mapping is treated as a “general” visit to a consultant or GP, so you can get a percentage back on the cost, depending on your plan, subject to an excess. Similarly, members of Quinn Healthcare can claim on the consultation cost as part of their outpatient benefit. At Aviva, mole mapping is not covered as a benefit, although this is under review.

If a mole is found to be suspect and has to be removed, this procedure is normally covered in full under private health insurance policies.

As part of Melanoma Awareness Month, patients without health insurance, can avail of a free diagnosis, this month, and treatment where necessary, if they are referred by their GP to the Eccles Clinic, where they will be seen by a plastic surgeon.

IN NUMBERS:

One in six peoplewill develop skin cancer at some stage in their life

90%of early melanoma cases can be cured