The oncological insurance expert named the reasons for the late detection of melanoma

Melanoma is considered one of the most aggressive types of skin cancer, and at the same time, its symptoms in the early stages may not differ much from ordinary moles. Olga Kuptsova, an expert on cancer insurance at Rosgosstrakh, told Izvestia on May 11 why the disease is often detected late and what skin changes it is important to pay attention to.

Melanoma is often not noticed in time, because at first it may look like an ordinary mole and not cause alarm. It does not always have a typical appearance: it may be a light, pink or reddish formation, a strip under the nail or a spot on the skin that does not cause discomfort. Changes often occur gradually and remain unnoticeable, especially when it comes to the back or scalp. Because of this, people often postpone a visit to the doctor and turn to a late stage of the disease.

"At the same time, melanoma refers to aggressive tumors. Her cells are able to spread rapidly through the body and form metastases, which complicates therapy," the specialist said.

Any skin changes become a reason to consult a doctor. If a mole or spot grows, changes shape or color, looks asymmetrical, begins to itch, ache or bleed, this is a signal to check. Separately, you need to pay attention to formations that become crusted or do not heal for several weeks. Experts also use the "ugly duckling principle": when one formation is noticeably different from the rest, it should be shown to a doctor, even if it does not cause discomfort. In melanoma, time plays a key role, and the sooner it is detected, the higher the chances of effective treatment.

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Even attentive attention to moles does not always help to notice the problem in time. Some forms of skin cancer, including melanoma, develop in hard-to-reach places or look atypical. Therefore, regular checkups with a dermatologist remain an important measure. At the reception, the doctor can use dermatoscopy, a method that allows you to examine the structure of the formation under magnification and notice changes that are not visible to the naked eye. In some cases, digital dermatoscopy and photofixation are used, which help to track the dynamics of moles in comparison with previous examinations. It is also important to examine the skin yourself about once a month to notice new or changing elements.

On April 1, the press service of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation informed Izvestia that for the first time in Russia, a personalized domestic vaccine against cancer was used in clinical practice. The agency indicated that today it can be used as a therapy for the treatment of adult patients who have inoperable or metastatic melanoma of the skin.