Melanoma Research
Melanoma is a skin cancer that develops from moles on the skin. It begins with a small mole with about half of the time from areas exposed to the sun and half from existing moles on the skin. It differs from other skin cancers in that it quickly metastasizes to other areas where it will grow and destroy cells. If detected early where it has not grown significantly in the skin, it can be cured. If the melanoma has spread into lymph and blood vessels, it could be fatal. However, the course of the cancer depends to a great extent on the immune system and a person with a strong immune system could go on with little problems for several years even if the skin cancer has metastasized in several areas.
A diagnosis must be made of the condition to make sure it is melanoma. A dermatologist can get a biopsy of the infection by removing entirely a small growth, but if it is a large growth only a small piece is removed. This tissue is examined under a microscope by a pathologist to determine if it is a melanoma. Surgery can remove the melanoma and if it has not spread it is cured. However, it may recur, so anyone who has had a melanoma should have skin examinations frequently. For melanoma that has spread there are other options of treatment available including chemotherapy and several promising experimental treatments.
Because of the importance of a healthy immune system in the treatment of melanoma, a healthy lifestyle of proper nutrition, weight control and exercise will not only be helpful in treatment and prevention of melanoma, it will also help to avoid a multitude of diseases and conditions. Of particular importance is proper nutrition which means to eat no refined glucose or carbohydrates, eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, cold water fish, lean protein, sprouted grain bread and ground flax seed. Also take a multivitamin supplement.
