„Melanoma is a visible tumor. If a person knows that they need to examine their skin, and close ones can help assess harder-to-see areas, a very big step towards prevention is already made. This is a disease that we can notice in time if we just pay attention to our skin,“ says J. Česienė, head of the Infectious and Skin Diseases Clinic at Klaipėda University Hospital, dermatologist and venereologist.
Changes in the skin should not be ignored
According to the dermatologist and venereologist, not only a newly appeared lesion should cause concern, but also a mole that has been present for many years and starts to change.
„If a mole changes color, shape, size, starts to bleed or grows rapidly – you should not wait. Melanoma does not go away on its own. It is better to come for a check-up and hear that everything is fine than to be late,“ emphasizes J. Česienė.
She reminds that early visits to the doctor often allow the disease to be diagnosed when treatment is simpler and more effective.
Melanoma treatment has fundamentally changed over the past decade
Although many people still associate a melanoma diagnosis with the worst prognosis, oncologist and chemotherapist A. Česas says that modern medicine has made huge progress in this field.
„Fifteen years ago, we could offer very little to patients whose melanoma was advanced. Today the situation is completely different – immunotherapy and targeted therapy allow us to achieve results we could only dream of before. Many patients live ten or more years,“ says A. Česas.
According to him, today treatment is selected individually for each patient – histological and molecular tests are performed to choose the most effective treatment strategy.
„We no longer treat just the diagnosis. We assess the stage of the disease, tumor biology, genetic changes, and based on that we select treatment. This means that for each patient we look for the best solution,“ notes the doctor.
There are still many myths
In the podcast, specialists also debunked one of the most common myths – that melanoma is incurable.
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„Melanoma is not a death sentence. It is treated at all stages, but early diagnosis always provides the greatest chances of recovery,“ says J. Česienė.
According to doctors, people also often fear long waits to see specialists, but when cancer is suspected, the green corridor principle is applied.
„If a family doctor or dermatologist suspects melanoma, the patient’s consultation is organized urgently. Therefore, the most important thing is not to wait and to seek help as soon as suspicious changes are noticed,“ emphasizes A. Česas.
Sun protection is not just a summer concern
Specialists remind that one of the most important melanoma prevention measures remains protection from ultraviolet rays.
„We recommend using a protective cream with at least SPF50, covering all exposed skin areas and reapplying every two hours. Sun protection should become a daily habit, not just a holiday ritual,“ says J. Česienė.
According to medical professionals, more and more people actively take care of their health, are interested in prevention, and are no longer afraid to talk about oncological diseases.
„Lithuania heals when people are no longer afraid to get checked and seek help when they notice changes. The earlier we diagnose melanoma, the greater the chance that the person will return to a normal life,“ summarizes A. Česas.
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