The Skin

Most people are unaware that the skin is the largest organ in the body. The skin covers every part of the body exposed to the exterior and has a number of vital functions, namely;

- protection from the outside environment
- regulation of body temperature
- production of chemicals vital for normal body function - vitamin D
- acts as a reservoir for blood
- aids the excretion of waste products through sweat

                       

The cells that become cancerous in malignant melanoma are called melanocytes and are found between the dermis and epidermis. Their function is to produce melanin, the brown pigment in the skin which helps protect it from the harmful effects of ultraviolet light emitted by the sun. When you expose your skin to the sun, the melanin is then transferred to other cells to protect them from the sun´s harmful rays.

Skin cancer

There are two main types of skin cancer; malignant melanoma and non - melanoma skin cancer.

Malignant Melanoma

Malignant melanoma is a potentially fatal skin cancer. It is the abnormal change and growth of the melanocytes into cancer cells which can spread to other parts of the body and prove fatal. If discovered early, the melanoma can be removed from the skin and completely cured. If it has moved from the skin and caused tumours elsewhere in the body, it cannot be cured. Therefore, we have two lines of defense;

- Prevention
- Early detection