What is melanoma?
According to Melanoma Institute Australia (1), Melanoma is a form of cancer that develops in the body’s pigment cells, known as melanocytes. Melanoma occurs when abnormal melanocytes grow in an uncontrolled way and evade the immune system. While melanoma usually begins in the skin (cutaneous melanoma), it may uncommonly start in the eye (ocular melanoma) or in the mucosal area (mucosal melanoma).
What is primary melanoma?
A primary melanoma is the site of origin of a melanoma.
How common is melanoma?
Australia has the highest incidence rate of melanoma in the world (50 per 100000 population). More than 16800 new cases in melanoma are diagnosed every year in Australia but fortunately 90 % of people can be treated successfully by having the primary melanoma surgical removed with adequate margin.
After an early melanoma is successfully treated, can we do something to prevent melanoma recurrence?
The following strategies are suggested in prevention of melanoma recurrence.
- UV protection- photoprotection with sun protective clothing, UV protective sunglasses, regular application of sunscreen are recommended.
- Antioxidants- Topical antioxidants such as Vit C and Vit E can neutralize free radicals, builds collagen, and prevent thymine dimers (DNA mutations associated with skin cancer). It should be used daily with sunscreen.
- Camellia sinensis- numerous in vitro and animal studies suggest benefit of green tea in prevention of melanoma recurrence (2).
- Omega 3 fatty acids- there is reasonable evidence that dietary fish intake and omega 3 fatty acids are beneficial in prevention. 3000mg EPA and DHA per day is recommended (3,4,5).
- Maintain adequate level of Vit D3 and CoQ 10 may also be beneficial in prevention of melanoma (6).
References:
- Your Guide to Early Melanoma, Melanoma Institute Australia
- Nihal M, Anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of epigallocathechin-3-gallate on human melanoma: possible implications for the chemoprevention of melanoma. Int J Cancer. 2005 Apr 20;114(4):513-21
- Zajdel A, Wilczok A, Chodurek E, Gruchlik A, Dzierzewicz Z. Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids inhibit melanoma cell growth in vitro. Acta Polonaise Pharmaceutica- Drug Research. 2013. 70(2): 365-369
- Albino AP, Juan G, Traganos F, Reinhart L, Connolly J, Rose DP, Darzynkiewica Z. Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis of Melanoma Cells by Docosahexaenoic acid: Association with decreased pRb Phosphorylation. Cancer Research 2000. 60, 4139-4145
- Noel SE, Stoneham ACS, Olsen CM, Rhodes LE, and Green AC. Consumption of omega-3 fatty acids and the risk of skin cancers: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int. J. Cancer 2014. 135, 149-156
- Peter A Lio, Toral Patel, Neil T. Peters, and Sarah Kasprowicz. Handbook of Integrative Dermatology Ch.4 Skin Cancer
(Author: Dr Stephen Lai
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