Lifestyle Choices and Health Outcomes
Every decision has its own outcome, not only for the environment, but also for our future and the health of our bodies. Sleep, stress, nutrition, physical activity, and many other factors all play a role in the functioning of our bodies. Lack of sleep, for example, may not be immediately noticeable. Still, it has a cumulative effect that contributes to a deterioration in health and will be more challenging to treat than if the problem were eliminated immediately. Therefore, it is worth monitoring our health and habits to anticipate their impact on us, as treatment at later stages will be longer, more difficult, or impossible.
Risk Factors of Melanoma Cancer
Melanoma is a sort of malignant tumor that has high metastatic potential, therefore, a high mortality rate, but is curable early on, so it is essential to know the factors that trigger the disease or increase the chances of getting this tumor. This type of cancer accounts for 73% of deaths from all skin cancers (Carr et al., 2020).
Ultraviolet radiation is a common risk factor that can be influenced by human behavior. Cells that produce melanin in response to UV radiation can become malignant and develop into cancerous cells. Other risk factors include indoor tanning and exposure to certain types of treatment. For example, tanning increases the risk of melanoma by 16-20% (Carr et al., 2020).
Prevention and Treatment
PUVA, a medical treatment used to treat vitiligo, eczema, and psoriasis, can increase the risk of developing melanoma. Recommendations for avoiding melanoma will include raising public awareness of the effects of ultraviolet radiation and sunburn, as well as surveillance of pathological skin changes (Carr et al., 2020).
Early detection has been shown to reduce mortality rates due to greater treatment options. Regularly recognizing asymmetries, discoloration, and any other changes, and visiting a dermatologist or oncologist, contributes to preventive measures. Avoiding the sun and protecting the skin with SPF products also significantly lowers the risk of progressing a disease (Carr et al., 2020).
In general, melanoma is a terrible condition to avoid, and awareness is necessary. The main tips are to avoid ultraviolet rays, indoor tanning, and smoking, and to raise awareness about these risks. Thanks to these measures, the risk of getting sick will be much lower, or the ability to recognize the disease will increase.
Reference
Carr, S., Smith, C. H., & Wernberg, J. A. (2020). Epidemiology and risk factors of melanoma. Surgical Clinics of North America, 100(1), 1–12. Web.