Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
By Dr. Daniel Wasserman
The recent release of Bob Marley’s biopic movie happens to be juxtaposed with the month of May, also known as Melanoma Awareness Month. Many people identify Bob Marley with his epic reggae hits and his legendary album Exodus named by Time magazine as the greatest album of the 20th century. However, many people are not aware that Bob Marley’s premature passing came from a festering wound on his toe that he had believed he received from playing football, or soccer. It was later discovered that he had malignant melanoma which he later died from.
It is easy to overlook that, albeit rare, dark-skinned individuals can still develop skin cancer and it can oftentimes be more deadly due to their delay in diagnosis. In this circumstance, Marley developed a type of melanoma called acral lentiginous melanoma, more commonly seen in dark skinned individuals on the hands or feet. In 2023, melanoma was the 5th most common cancer, with a 5-year relative survival of 93.5%, and a median age of diagnosis of 66. In men, melanoma is most commonly found on the trunk and especially the back. Women develop melanoma most commonly on the arms and legs.
Risk factors for melanoma include high UVA or UVB exposure which is unavoidable in Florida. Additionally, blue eyes, fair and/or red hair,
pale complexion, easy burning, history of abnormal moles, and a family history for melanoma (2.2x higher risk with at least one affected relative) are all risk factors for melanoma.
The gold standard treatment for melanoma is still surgical removal, while systemic therapies are used once the disease has spread from the initial site on the skin.
Melanoma Awareness Month is the annual opportunity to identify any suspicious lesions one has and if concerned see your board-certified dermatologist.
Daniel I. Wasserman, MD
Fellowship-trained Laser and
Cosmetic Dermatologist
Fellowship-trained Mohs Surgeon
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Wasserman is a board certified dermatologist with fellowship training at Harvard Medical School in laser and cosmetic surgery, as well as fellowship training in Mohs skin cancer surgery. He has contributed as a dermatology expert for online and print magazines. In addition, he frequently lectures to professional societies and organizations on his diverse research. For more information about skin care visit the Skin Wellness Physicians website at www.skinwellnessflorida.com
239.732.0044
www.SkinWellnessFlorida.com
