Amazing Melanoma awareness video quickly goes viral

VIDEO: This Video Is a Must See! Raising Awareness About The Dangers of Melanoma

A new online video designed to raise awareness about the dangers of melanoma has caught the attention of hundreds of thousands of people in just a few days. The poignant video is called “Dear 16-year-old Me” and runs just over five minutes in length.

Skin cancer can be divided into two main groups:

Malignant melanoma and
Non-melanoma skin cancer.

Malignant melanoma

Malignant melanoma is the rarest, but most serious form. It affects the pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) found in the skin and can appear as a new mole, or arise from an existing mole on the skin. Malignant melanoma has the potential to spread to other sites or organs within the body but is curable if treated early. Each year about 235 females and 150 males are diagnosed with malignant melanoma in Ireland.

Non-melanoma skin cancers (Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma)

Non-melanoma skin cancers are far more common but less dangerous than malignant melanoma and rarely fatal. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma frequently appear on sun-exposed skin after many years of exposure. This exposure also causes premature ageing of the skin. Non-malignant skin cancers are easily treated by minor surgery. If left, non-melanoma skin cancers will grow and disfigure – therefore early treatment is recommended. Each year about 7,500 people are diagnosed with non-melanomatous skin cancers in Ireland with 3445 in females, 3889 in males.

Basal cell carcinomas

Squamous cell carcinomas

Solar keratoses (actinic) 
Solar keratoses develop on skin which has been damaged by long term sun exposure. Usually many are present and can appear as hard, scaly lumps. Some become unsightly as they slowly grow larger. The skin underneath solar keratoses can vary in colour from a normal fleshy shade to pink or red. Sometimes these skin lesions can become itchy. Common sites are the face, backs of hands, forearms, ears, scalp and neck. Solar keratoses are not skin cancers. However, a very small percentage can develop into a skin cancer in later life. Some specialists regard solar keratoses as precursors to skin cancer, therefore it is important to seek medical advice on treatment.

– Solar keratoses appear as hard scaly lumps on the skin. They may crust but do not heal.
– Solar keratoses can be rough, scaly irregular patches which are easily felt but not clearly seen.
– Often they are not troublesome in anyway but do not heal.
– Some are very troublesome, if present on the lips or nose as they tend to bleed spontaneously.

Solar keratoses are most frequently treated by freezing using Liquid Nitrogen (Cryotherapy) or by applying a treatment cream. Some larger lesions may be removed by minor surgery under local anaesthesia. Treatment is usually carried out on an out-patient basis with the minimum disruption to your daily routine. All treatments aim to cure. The most appropriate treatment depends on the size, site and number of solar keratoses. Solar keratoses seldom recur following treatment but others may develop over the years.

Who is most at risk of developing skin cancer?

People with very fair skin are most at risk of developing skin cancer. Those who cannot develop a tan are most at risk of malignant melanoma, but everyone is at risk of being sunburnt, especially indoor employees, children and babies. Malignant melanoma is more common in females. Non-melanoma skin cancers are most frequently seen in older age groups and outdoor workers who have a continuous all-year tan. The incidence of skin cancer is rapidly rising in the young adult population.
It features a series of melanoma survivors — as well as family members and friends of some people who didn’t survive — telling the viewer about their experiences and what can be done to prevent the skin cancer.

The video was uploaded to YouTube on May 2 and has already been watched by more than 680,000 people as of Saturday morning.

It was created by the David Cornfield Melanoma Fund, a group that was founded in memory of a young accountant who lost his battle with the disease in 2005.

Paul Cohen, a dermatologist who is involved with the group, says a key takeaway of the new video is that many people will survive melanoma if they get to their doctor early.

But they need to know what the warning signs are and how to avoid putting themselves at risk.

“In my office, I see young people with melanoma. People who are pregnant, people who are parents, people who die from a very preventable disease,” Cohen recently told CTV’s Canada AM.

“And the trick that we really need to emphasize is that you really can prevent this disease.”

Cohen said people need to check their skin frequently for any changes and to watch for “the ABCDEs of melanoma”