Melanoma Beat melanoma through early detection
May 29, 2020 Word for Word Media
#SpreadTheHope
May was Melanoma Awareness Month and CANSA highlights the stories of two survivors living with skin cancer to help educate and promote early detection of cancer. Melanoma, though less common than other skin cancers, is lethal. Exposure of the skin to excessive ultraviolet (UV) radiation in childhood, increases the risk of melanoma later in life. Though it may be possible to have a melanoma even if you haven’t had extreme UV exposure.  Some melanomas are extremely aggressive and progress rapidly within a few months. Early detection of melanoma is key to improved survival outcomes with five-year survival rates being…

Read More
Melanoma Mohs surgery
May 29, 2020 Word for Word Media
#SpreadTheHope
Dr Tshepo Mokwena explains Mohs surgery for skin cancer. What is Mohs surgery? Also referred to as Mohs micrographic surgery, it’s a precise surgical technique used to treat different types of skin cancers.  During Mohs surgery, thin layers of cancer-containing skin are adequately removed, and microscopically examined until only cancer-free tissue remains.  The principle of Mohs surgery was developed, in 1938, by a general surgeon, Frederic E. Mohs, and the process was modified and perfected with modern technology to date. The state-of-the-art procedure allows a specialist dermatologist to be a surgeon (Mohs surgeon), a pathologist and a reconstructive surgeon. The process…

Read More
Melanoma Beauty and the black spot
Dec 3, 2018 Word for Word Media
#SpreadTheHope

Nicole Capper, Tammy Taylor Mrs South Africa 2018, tells us how at the age of 25, a malignant melanoma mole was discovered on the back of her left thigh. Nicole Capper (33) lives in Broadacres, Gauteng with her two children Josh (7) and Tatum (3). She is currently separated from her husband. Routine mole removal Nicole was diagnosed, by chance, during a routine mole removal performed by a plastic surgeon. “I’ve always had lots of moles but they irritated me and hooked on my clothing. I didn’t like them aesthetically either, so I opted to have them removed. With this…

Read More
Melanoma Suns out, protection guns out
Sep 26, 2018 Word for Word Media
#SpreadTheHope
Many people don’t realise that burning red in the sun is the precursor to skin cancer. Just one bad burn can lead to years of skin issues, like skin cancer, particularly in later life. Skin cancer stats According to dermatologist, Dr Marc Roscher, there is a shortage of dermatologists in SA and majority of the population will never be screened for skin cancer.  This is extremely concerning, considering that SA has a very high incidence of skin cancer and one of the highest incidences of melanoma worldwide, as far as Caucasians are concerned. Therefore, awareness is key and early…

Read More