Along with the many diseases that have been neglected due to the pandemic, there is also the melanoma, the most aggressive of skin cancers and for which prevention is particularly important. In 2020 there were about 14,900 new diagnoses with an increase of 20% compared to the previous year (Aiom Foundation data). Many checkups have been postponed or canceled and, according to the data that emerged from the second edition of the Observatory “The Italians and melanoma“, Survey conducted by Doxapharma and promoted by Novartis, l’80% of the interviewees did not consider it so important to schedule a visit for the mapping of the moles.
Among those who claim to be more sensitive to skin health, the habit of regularly undergoing checkups is not widespread, with a strong gender difference and a high percentage of men who do not know or practice any form of prevention. The survey shows that 43% of Italians declare that they have never done it, but even among those who were used to periodically checking themselves, the frequency has decreased. The slowdown in melanoma prevention activities caused by the pandemic was very significant: only 7% have planned a mole check in the coming months.
To bring attention to melanoma and the importance of secondary prevention, Novartis launched the campaign «Beyond the skin – Prevention at the center» with a full program of activities to provide useful information and tools to learn about and prevent melanoma. It will be possible to interact with experts and patient associations, and ask questions to dermatologists and oncologists through the Facebook page @OltreLaPelleMelanoma, and through the Allies for Health portal.
«Melanoma is the most aggressive skin cancer linked to the transformation of melanocytes, responsible for skin color and tan, on apparently healthy skin or the modification of a pre-existing mole. We know that one of the main risk factors is exposure to sunlight and sunburn, especially at a young age, “said Professor Ignazio Stanganelli, Director of the Clinical-Experimental Center of Oncodermatology – Skin Cancer Unit of the Tumor Institute of Romagna (IRST) IRCCS, Associate Professor of the University of Parma and President of the Italian Melanoma Intergroup (IMI). “It is important to increase knowledge of this cancer because, although research in recent years has given us new effective and targeted tools, prevention remains the most powerful weapon we have.”
PREVENTION
The prevention it can really make a difference: if diagnosed in its early stages, in fact, melanoma can often have a favorable prognosis and require only surgical removal. On the other hand, its management becomes more complex when the diagnosis occurs at a more advanced stage, despite the therapeutic options have increased and improved compared to a few years ago. Fundamental to complete a correct diagnosis is also the determination of gene mutations such as that of BRAF which is present in about half of patients with melanoma and which can be crucial for the choice of a targeted therapy.
The pandemic has upset some of our habits, but we need to worry about our health again. “People at risk to develop a melanoma are those with light skin and green / blue eyes, many moles, and a familiarity with melanoma and they are also those who have to undergo more regular clinical checks, even if the control of the moles should become a healthy habit for everyone “, said the professor Ketty Peris, Full Professor of
Dermatology, UOC Director of Dermatology, Director of the School of Specialization in Dermatology and Venereology at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart and President of the Italian Society of Dermatology.
THE SPF TO PROTECT THE SKIN
To protect the skin from UV and UVB rays it is important to apply sunscreen with filter 50. Among the aspects to consider when choosing a sunscreen are: the type of filters it contains, avoiding those with suspected endocrine interference and considered ecotoxic, presence of filters against visible light and infrared rays, and the fact that they are biodegradable and respectful of the marine environment. The sensory texture of the products must always go hand in hand with maximum safety and efficacy.

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