Melanoma Skin Cancer

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. Is Prepared to Defend Individuals in the Buffalo, New York Who Have Been Victims of Personal Injury Accidents.

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According to the American Cancer Society, melanoma accounts for only 1% of the total skin cancer cases in the United States. Melanoma is, however, the cause of most skin cancer-related deaths. Each year, roughly 100,000 individuals are diagnosed with melanoma, and 6,800 of those diagnoses are fatal.

Jed Dietrich, Esq. knows that the safety of you and your loved ones is a top priority. It is his mission to ensure that you receive proper representation in your personal injury claim and that you obtain the highest compensation possible for your loss. The team of Buffalo, New York personal injury attorneys at the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and can be reached at 716-839-3939 or online.

Causes and Risk Factors of Melanoma

Melanoma grows within DNA cells that have become damaged or mutated over time. When the skin cells, known as “melanocytes,” are damaged by ultraviolet radiation (UV rays), they begin to produce the skin pigment melanin. The UV damaged cells then mutate, leading to rapid cellular growth and the development of melanoma skin cancer. Melanoma is not the most common type of skin cancer, but it is the most dangerous. While the five-year survival rate for individuals who have been diagnosed with melanoma is very high, almost 90%,if left untreated, melanoma can spread to the other organs in the body. There are certain risk factors that can make a person more susceptible to skin cancers. These factors are:

1. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays, such as from indoor or outdoor tanning or from many hours spent in the sun;
2. Pale or fair skin, or the presence of many moles on the body, make the development of melanoma more likely;
3. Age can affect an individual’s chances of developing melanoma. While it is commonly seen in older individuals, young adults who spend a lot of time in the sun are also at risk of developing skin cancer;
4. A weakened immune system can put an individual at risk for any type of cancer, melanoma included; and
5. Genetics or a history of skin cancer increases an individual’s chances of developing melanoma or nonmelanoma skin cancer in their life.

Some of these factors can be prevented. But for those individuals who have a family history of skin cancer, a fair complexion, or a weakened immune system are at a greater disadvantage. Individuals who are more susceptible to the disease should take extra precautions in order to lessen their chances of developing melanoma.

With over twenty years of experience as a personal injury attorney in Buffalo, New York, Jed Dietrich, Esq. is someone in whom you can place your trust. He and his team of top rated lawyers will fight on your behalf to obtain satisfaction in your personal injury case. If you are in need of representation, call our office today at 716-839-3939 or contact us online, and we will answer any questions you might have.

Melanoma Skin Cancer Early Warning Signs

As with all cancers, the faster melanoma can be diagnosed, the greater the odds are that the patient will make a full recovery. Fortunately, because melanoma grows on the surface of the skin, it makes early detection much easier than other forms of cancer. Skincancer.org recommends watching for anything unusual, new, or changing on the body. It advises the ABCDE and Ugly Duckling methods for self-checking:

1. The ABCDE Method: Asymmetry: Check for spots that are asymmetrical, i.e., not uniform in shape; Border: Look for spots with edges that are uneven or irregularly notched; Color: Melanoma exhibits multiple colors, unlike regular moles, which are uniform; Diameter/Darkness: If a spot is larger than a pencil eraser or darker in color than any other spot on the body, that is a possible indication of melanoma; and Evolving: Watch for any changes in the color, shape, or size of the spot, including any itching and crustiness in the area.
2. The Ugly Duckling Method: Similar to the “D” of ABCDE, this method advises watching for any spots that are different from the rest. Spots that are larger or smaller, irregular in shape, or different in color might be an indication of the presence of melanoma.

Melanoma can grow anywhere on the body. While areas of skin that are frequently exposed to the sun are more likely to develop skin cancer, it does not mean melanoma cannot grow in other places. Melanoma can develop under nails, between the fingers and toes, on the scalp and even the soles of your feet. Sometimes, melanoma develops inside the body as well, inside the mouth, the digestive tract, and in or on the genitals.

Treatment and Prevention

Following a melanoma diagnosis, a doctor can choose several treatment methods. Those methods depend entirely on the following factors: the disease’s current stage, the individual’s health, and the location of the tumor in the body. There is a standard of care for most cancers, and melanoma is no exception. It is most common for melanoma spots to be removed through surgery, particularly if it is at an early stage and hasn’t spread deeper into the body. Chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy are also sometimes used to treat skin cancer. The treatments for melanoma often lead to scarring of the skin, depending upon the size and placement of the tumor. A plastic surgeon can repair some of the scar damage left by melanoma.

Sometimes, cancer develops in the body no matter what we do to try and prevent it. However, there are precautions that might lessen the odds that cancer will develop. While outside, use sunscreen and wear a hat to keep the sun off of your face. For individuals with fair skin, wearing a lightweight long-sleeved shirt can help to protect from the UV rays of the sun. Watch for moles or unusual spots, use the ABCDE and Ugly Duckling methods described above, and immediately report any warning signs or changes to your doctor.

A melanoma skin cancer diagnosis can be a negatively life-altering experience. Jed Dietrich, Esq. is fully prepared to represent you. He and his team of top lawyers are aggressive, tenacious, and hardworking and will fight to obtain compensation on your behalf. Do not hesitate to reach out today at 716-839-3939 or by visiting us online – YOU are our priority!

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Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at 716-839-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Buffalo, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!

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