The great heat of these days must alarm us for more than one reason: it not only tires us, but warns us of how much pollution due to fossil fuels is seriously threatening human health. Starting with that of the skin. The effects of climate change, in fact, can also be measured in terms of the increased risk of developing skin cancers, and in particular melanoma. It has been estimated that an increase of 1.5 ° C will be equivalent to 8 more days of scorching heat in the Mediterranean area3 and therefore more sunshine. And ultraviolet rays, the number one risk factor for the development of melanoma, affect the most due to the thinning of the ozone layer: 1% less ozone layer causes an increase of 1 to 2% of the incidence of melanoma. Although it is a growing tumor, however, melanoma can be successfully prevented. A message that “Beyond the skin – Prevention at the center”, an awareness campaign promoted by Novartis with the patronage of scientific societies and patient associations, to provide information, insights and advice on the prevention and management of melanoma, is now reaching the streets. With an invitation to stop physically at the exhibition, but not to stop at appearances, and to go deeper with the periodic checks of the moles.
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Third most common cancer under the age of 50
New cases of melanoma are growing at a steady pace, affecting even young people. In fact, it is one of the main cancers that arise at a young age and is currently the third most frequent cancer in both sexes under the age of 50 in Italy. Worldwide, and Italy is no exception, it is estimated that in the last decade cutaneous melanoma has reached 100,000 new cases a year: an increase of about 15% compared to the previous decade. “In recent years, the treatment of melanoma has undergone a real revolution, thanks to increasingly effective drugs. But the cases are increasing: it is therefore essential that attention to prevention remains very high “, he declares Ignazio Stanganelli, President of the Italian Melanoma Intergroup (IMI). “Melanoma is one of the cancers that most affects young people under the age of 50. It is above all to them, and also to the very young, that we must turn our attention, inviting them to turn to specialists and check themselves constantly ”. “Learning what are the mistakes not to make, the clues to pay attention to when observing your skin, understanding the importance of periodic visit of the moles means being protagonists of your own health“, he declares Paola Queirolo, Director of the Complex Structure of Medical Oncology of Melanoma, Sarcoma and Rare Tumors of the European Institute of Oncology IRCCS – Institute of Hospitalization and Scientific Treatment – of Milan. “Early diagnosis of melanoma drastically increases the chances of recovery, which in most cases comes with the surgical removal of the lesion alone.”
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The risk factors
Knowledge of risk factors, an adequate lifestyle and some good habits, therefore, can be fundamental for the prevention of melanoma. “The risk of developing melanoma is linked to several factors, including exposure to UV rays: it is important to pay attention to the type of exposure, the intermittent one in particular, or intense for short periods of time, is the most dangerous, and age, because children and young people are at greater risk. This is why it is important to play early and prevent melanoma through good habits and checkups, ”he explains Michele Del VecchioHead of SS Medical Oncology Melanomas, Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, IRCCS Foundation National Cancer Institute of Milan.
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The awareness campaign
Beyond the skin is the awareness campaign carried out by Novartis on the prevention and management of melanoma. Since 2021, with the initiative Beyond the skin – Prevention at the center, the campaign has launched a series of specific activities on the importance of melanoma prevention, promoting dermatological visits for the control of moles, the main prevention tool. A rich program of activities to learn about and prevent melanoma, also developed thanks to the contribution of experts, doctors and patients, through the Facebook page @OltreLaPelleMelanoma, a community that has been active for over two years, and a dedicated page within the Allies portal for Health. The campaign is sponsored by: Italian Melanoma Intergroup (IMI), Italian Society of Medical, Surgical, Aesthetic Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (SIDeMaST), Italian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists, Italian Hospital and Public Health (ADOI), Italian Association of Melanoma Patients (AiMa.Me.), Melanoma Italia Onlus (MiO), Italian Melanoma Patients Association (APAiM), Emme Rouge Onlus and MelanomaDay.
The next steps
The campaign is taking place with a ‘Guerrilla’ action taking to the streets to remind everyone of the importance of prevention through the distribution of information material. The next stop is from 9 to 11 June in Rimini along the Lungomare Claudio Tintori, in Viale Tiberio and in other parts of the city, where a temporary set-up and the distribution of information material will raise awareness among citizens on the prevention of melanoma. On June 17, however, there is a meeting for patients with free screening in Pavia at the IRCSS Policlinico San Matteo and on June 29 in Novara at the AOU Maggiore della Carità di Novara. It is possible to follow all the stages through the events calendar on the Fb page https://www.facebook.com/OltreLaPelleMelanoma