Melanoma Prevention

Melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer. That’s why Frederick Health is raising awareness of sun safety and the importance of getting regular and yearly screenings to boost early detection.

While melanoma only accounts for 1% of all skin cancers, it causes the most skin cancer deaths. According to the American Cancer Society, in 2025, about 100,000 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed annually in the United States with around 8,400 people expected to die from the disease.

“The latest statistics show that since the early 2000’s, new melanoma cases have been on the rise.” says Dr. Saro Sarkisian, MD MHA, a board-certified hematologist and oncologist with Frederick Health Medical Group. “Melanoma tends to spread more than other skin cancers which is why it’s so serious. Survival depends on the stage, if we catch it very early, stage 1 is better than stage 3 or 4.”

Early detection is crucial for a successful treatment. In fact, according to the Melanoma Research Alliance, the 5-year survival rate for stage 1 melanoma is 97%-99%. It’s important to understand the risk factors to prevent getting melanoma and the warning signs to look for so it can be treated as early as possible.

Melanoma cases most commonly occur later in life, with the highest incidences seen in individuals ages 65-78, followed closely by those aged 80 and older.

But why are the number of cases so high among older people? When we asked Dr. Sarkisian about risk factors, he said a large contributing factor is excessive sun exposure as a child followed by a family history of melanoma, a weakened immune system and fair skin.

Melanoma is significantly more common among Caucasians who have a lifetime risk of 1 in 38, compared to 1 in 1000 for African Americans.

Prevention starts now. It’s important to practice sun safety as it’s an essential step toward preventing melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers in the future. Dr. Sarkisian recommends the following:

• Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least 30+ daily. Applying generously every 2 hours and after swimming.
• Avoid tanning beds.
• Limit sun exposure and wear sunscreen when the UV is the strongest (from 10 am to 4 pm).
• Wear protective clothing such as wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses with 100% UV lenses and clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor up to 50.

It’s important to check yourself for melanoma by performing monthly skin self-checks. Knowing what to look for can help increases the chances of spotting skin cancer early. The American Academy of Dermatology provides the ABCDEs of Melanoma, so you know what to look for when checking your skin for dark spots and moles:

A – Asymmetry: One half of the mole doesn’t match the other

B – Border: Irregular or poorly defined edges

C – Color: Multiple or uneven colors

D – Diameter: Larger than 6 mm (size of a pencil eraser)

E – Evolving: Changing size, shape, or color

In addition to monthly skin checks, book an appointment with your Primary Care provider for a yearly physical exam. If you have any concerns during your self-exam, new or changing moles, bleeding, itching, or painful skin lesions, see your Primary Care provider. Frederick Health has an expert team of providers who specialize in the early detection and treatment of skin cancer.

Melanoma diagnosis and staging depends on the results of a skin biopsy. For early stages of melanoma (0, I, and II) treatment is typically done with surgery to remove the tumor with certain patients needing adjuvant therapies. The later stages of melanoma (III and IV) will require surgery as well as immunotherapy and targeted therapy. No matter the stage, regular follow-ups are essential to help detect any signs of recurrence or new melanomas.

Treatment for melanoma has considerably improved over the past decade. The introduction of immunotherapy, which enables the body to attack cancer cells, and targeted therapies, which focus on the specific mutation in melanoma cells, have greatly improved the survival rate and quality of life for many patients. Other forms of treatment include clinical trials which are exploring personalized therapies and vaccines.

“Immunotherapy is the cornerstone for certain stage 2 diagnosis and everyone in stages 3 and 4.” Says Dr. Sarkisian. Immunotherapy saw a significant improvement in the 5-year survival rate for metastatic melanoma. It works by helping the immune system recognize and attack melanoma cells. About 35-40% of patients will require a targeted treatment which is a combination of pills rather than infusions.

Frederick Health’s expert oncologists provide patients with individualized treatment plans ensuring patients are getting the latest effective therapies. Dr. Sarkisian and his team continue to help shape the future of melanoma care with innovative techniques and personalized treatments.

Melanoma is less common than other skin cancers but it’s more aggressive and likely to spread. Early detection is key to improving your chances of survival. Be vigilant about doing monthly skin checks and yearly physical exams with your Primary Care provider. It’s important to follow proper sun safety measures and avoid using tanning beds.

If you notice changes or suspicious lesions on your skin, don’t delay seeking medical care.

Schedule a visit with a Primary Care provider online by visiting frederickhealth.org/find-a-provider or call 240-215-6310. To schedule a visit with Dr. Sarkisian, call 301-662-8477.