About Melanoma Skin Cancer

Melanoma skin cancer develops from specialised skin cells called melanocytes. Melanocytes produce melanin, the pigment that causes the skin to darken when exposed to the sun. They are found in the epidermis - part of the outer layer of the skin. Non-cancerous growth of melanocytes produces moles and freckles.

Melanomas occur when melanocytes divide uncontrollably and form a mass of cancerous cells. While the reason this occurs is not fully understood, excessive exposure to the ultraviolet radiation (UV) in sunlight, and from other sources, is thought to be a contributing factor along with mineral deficiencies in selenium, zinc and magnesium. Melanomas can however occur in areas of the body not necessarily exposed to UV radiation including the eye; the mouth, vulva or vagina; under fingernails and toenails.

Most melanomas can be treated if detected and treated early. It is therefore important to seek medical advice if any change in a mole or freckle is noticed or even any spot that looks irregular and suspicious. If left untreated melanomas can spread to deeper layers of skin and to other areas of the body via the lymphatic system or blood. If another tumour develops as a result of the melanoma it is known as a secondary or metastatic tumour.

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About Cancer Melanoma

This site is dedicated to bringing good news to cancer melanoma, skin care and basal cell carcinoma sufferers. We intend to blog about the latest breakthroughs, positive stories as well as alternative cancer melanoma skin care treatments.

While the United States has experienced a dramatic increase in the number of melanoma cases over the past few decades, there has also been a significant rise in overall five-year survival in patients with melanoma. There are a number of theories as to why this is occuring, improved surgical procedures, early detection, improved nutrition and alternative treatments due to a greater understanding of what causes the cancer.

Causes of Cancer Melanoma

It was once previously thought the causes of melanoma was simply the too much exposure to the sun, with white skinned people more prone to falling to the cancer. However, if it is true that the sun causes cancer, wouldn't it stand to reason that every white person who has spent some time in the sun would end up with skin cancer? And since they don't there must be another cause.

New studies are showing that 20 minutes exposure to the sun (during off peak hours) can help in the prevention and treatment of melanoma by as much as 50%. There is also a link between definciencies in minerals such as seleminum, zinc and magnesium in some people making their skin less able to synthesize the ultra violet rays of the sun. Some Doctors and Naturopaths are now recommending high doses of naturally derrived minerals and antioxidants to help support the body's natural ability to deal with melanoma cancer.

Since our soils are depleted of natural minerals our food is containing less nutrients than 30 years ago, hence the major increase in populations taking natural supplements. Certainly good nutrient is a good place to sart with any cancer treatment orthodox or alternative, in particular with cancer melanoma because of this link with mineral deficiency.