Andalusian Society of Medical Oncology (SAOM) on occasion World Melanoma Daywhich took place this Thursday, May 23, warned of the importance of correct sun photoprotection and from avoid overexposure which harm the skin, both Sun how in tanning machinesto avoid possible melanoma, The most aggressive skin cancer.
According to SAOM, in 2024, thousands of Andalusians will be diagnosed with this pathologyThis figure corresponds to the increase in cancer incidence in recent years in Spain and Europe and is similar to the trend in cancer incidence in general. Around 7,800 new cases of melanoma are expected to be diagnosed in Spain in 2024.
Miguel Angel Bercianocoordinator SAOM Melanoma Working Groupindicated in a statement that the incidence of this tumor “is high in Andalusia, and one of the reasons that may explain such a high incidence in our community is the climate with high exposure to the sun, to which is added incorrect or ineffective use of preventive measures part of the population.”
“It is very important to proceed with caution and take measures to protect the skin not only in the summer months or with more sun exposure, but also during the rest of the year,” he said, emphasizing that melanoma is a tumor that tends to be underdiagnosed increases in people aged 25-30 yearsalthough the most affected part of the population are adults aged 40-60 years.
However, Berciano clarified that not all melanomas arise from excessive sun exposure, since “more than 50% is due to other factorsHow predisposition based on skin type or geneticsTo this we must add major risk factors that increase the likelihood of cancer in general, such as tobacco, alcohol, obesity, sedentary lifestyle or environmental pollution, so improvements in cancer diagnosis and treatment also continue. In addition, the specialist emphasized that early detection “favors more patients being diagnosed with cancer, but at earlier stages, helping to increase the chances of survival or quality of life.”
melanoma mortality In Spain, it affected a thousand people in 2022, but its detection at earlier stages, advances in oncological surgery with better techniques and more adjusted indications to improve survival and quality of life, and new personalized treatments have revolutionized prognosis. this type of tumor and improved the life expectancy of those affected.
Research and development The use of immunotherapy has achieved very good patient outcomes not only for metastatic melanoma but also for complementary therapies, while new targeted therapies have achieved good response rates and improved survival. In fact, the survival rate for melanoma patients has increased in recent years, and 89% of women and 82% of men will overcome it thanks to all these advances in early diagnosis, surgery and modern cancer treatments.
SAOM also emphasized the importance interdisciplinary approach melanoma, where collaboration between oncologists, other medical specialties and other healthcare professionals directly involved with tumors is “essential” to improve early diagnosis and treatment of patients. For now, the oncologist emphasized that the collaboration of oncologists with dermatologists, primary care physicians and other melanoma specialties “is a good example, and this interdisciplinary approach should serve to continue to work collaboratively with administration, industry and patients.” , To stop cancer“.
“In addition, the possibility that in Andalusia melanoma patients are participating in clinical trials in various centers, opens the door to expanding knowledge and improving the quality of life and survival of this disease, for which there is growing hope,” he emphasized, adding that “today there are very promising treatments (such as the so-called vaccines or cell therapy) that we are conducting in a pilot phase in our centers, and this benefits the patient who participates in them and in subsequent ones.
Finally, the President of SAOM, Ana Laura Ortegareminded the importance that “those people who have any symptoms or signs on the skin, or who have concerns or health problems that they may think are related to melanoma, should contact their health care provider for evaluation and, if necessary, direct him to ensure that he is diagnosed as early as possible and that action is taken as soon as possible.