Woman found a mark on her head and was diagnosed with a fungal infection, it later turned out to be melanoma; what is melanoma, symptoms of the condition

New Delhi: A 29-year-old BBC journalist, Sarah Lee, found a mark on her head that the doctors predicted to be a fungal infection. However, she wasn’t satisfied and she consulted another doctor who then advised for those moles to be removed surgically. After it was removed, the moles were biopsied wherein they found that Lee was suffering from stage three malignant nodular melanoma and that the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes. She later underwent a surgery to remove 24 lymph nodes, including that from her neck.

Melanoma is a form of skin cancer and it is one of the most serious forms of skin cancer. If it is not detected early and treated, it could turn out to be fatal. This cancer develops in melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin and gives colour to your skin. However, the cause of melanoma hasn’t been identified yet but experts say that exposure to ultraviolet rays could cause melanoma. Therefore, it is important that you use SPF, hats, and sunglasses and also stay under the shade or indoors as much as possible as it could help to reduce your chances of developing the disease.

Melanoma is a form of skin cancer and therefore, it could develop in any part of the body; hands or legs or face or any other part of the body. The development of moles or changes in existing moles could also be a sign of melanoma. Another major symptom of melanoma is the development or change in the colour of your skin or you might also notice some new pigments on your skin.

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.