Melanoma — The Basics Melanoma is a type of cancer, most often of the skin. It begins in melanocytes, the cells that color the skin and make moles. It is the deadliest type of skin cancer because it can spread to lymph nodes and distant organs. Melanoma can also occur in the eye (ocular, or uveal melanoma), in mucous membranes (mucosal melanoma) or even beneath fingernails or toenails (acral, or subungual melanoma). Ocular, mucosal and acral melanoma are not thought to be related to UV exposure. This year, more than 207,390 Americans are expected to be diagnosed with melanoma. Of these, approximately 106,110 will be diagnosed with invasive (Stage I, II, III or IV) melanoma and another 101,280 will be diagnosed with melanoma in situ (Stage 0).
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
So what do you do if you have just been diagnosed with melanoma?
RESEARCH. EDUCATE. ADVOCATE.
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Take a breath and try to stay calm.
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