Patient Information

Melanoma is a form of cancer that develops from the pigment-producing cells of the skin. It has become increasingly common in recent years and this is thought to be caused by sun exposure in pale-skinned people. As many pale-skinned people now have access to more sunny holidays, the number of cases of melanoma has increased dramatically.

Most people who get a melanoma have it treated surgically and are followed up in clinic, but happily do not have any recurrences. However, some do have recurrences (or secondary tumours), and melanoma can then be very serious. Medical staff use the term “primary melanoma” for a new tumour on the skin and “secondary melanoma” for a recurrence (spread of the melanoma from the primary to other parts of the body).

Although in many parts of the world melanoma is becoming more common, it is still unusual to have more than one person with melanoma in a single family. When more than one person has melanoma, especially if one or more of those people have had more than one primary melanoma, then this implies that the family have inherited genes which have made them especially susceptible to melanoma. GenoMEL was created to do research to help families with more than one melanoma patient. This information section contains information for melanoma families but also information for newly diagnosed melanoma patients or patients who have recently had a recurrence of their melanoma.

Click on the links below to view on-line presentations and other information for patients and their families

The following information is aimed at

People who want to know how to examine their moles and how to spot a melanoma early.
People who have had a melanoma.
People who suspect that their family carries an increased risk of melanoma.
People who have been told that their family carries an increased risk of melanoma.

Looking after your moles

This PDF leaflet is designed to help you look after your own moles. It is hoped that it will be useful for everyone but it may be especially valuable for people who are at increased risk of melanoma (a form of skin cancer).

To download and view the PDF version please select the link below.

Melanoma Looking after your moles 2015 V2

If you have any comments or suggestions regarding this leaflet please let us know at: info@genomel.org

The information in this pdf was checked and updated in July 2015.

Associated

When two things are associated they are connected or joined in some way. It may be that one thing causes the other but they could be linked in some other way. For instance, if both things were caused by a separate, third thing.

Clinical geneticist

A doctor concerned with the care of people with genetic conditions.

Dermatologist

A specialist ‘skin’ doctor.

Freckle

A small brown patch on the skin that becomes darker following exposure to sunlight. Freckles can vary from light brown to dark brown, and are often found on the cheeks and across the bridge of the nose.

Genes

Genes are pieces of genetic ‘code’: they are the instructions or recipes that our bodies use for growth and repair.

GenoMEL

The Melanoma Genetics Consortium: an international, collaborative organisation researching the genetics of melanoma.

High-risk genes

Particular genes can make us more susceptible to diseases. If we have changes in them called mutations, and if the mutation significantly increase the risk of a disease (as compared to someone who does not have a mutation in the gene), it is called a high-risk gene.

IU

International Units

Melanoma

Melanoma is a form of cancer that develops from the pigment producing cells of the skin. If untreated it can spread through the body and is potentially fatal.

Microgram

A microgram (mcg) is a millionth of a gram.

Mutations

Mutations are changes or faults in our genes. Sometimes mutations can increase our chances of developing a disease.

Nervous system tumours

The nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord, nerves and other structures that control our bodies. A tumour is an abnormal growth, which can be cancerous (having the potential to spread around the body) or benign (the growth remains in a single spot but may continue to grow in size).

nmol/L

nmol/L stands for nanomoles per litre. A nanomole is an extremely small unit of measurement.

Pancreas

The pancreas is a gland that lies behind the stomach. It produces digestive juices and controls blood sugar levels.

Risk

We are using the word risk to mean the chances of something happening. For example, if something is more likely to happen to John than to Peter then John is at greater risk than Peter.

SPF

Sun Protection Factor

UV Index

The UV index is a measurement of how much ultraviolet radiation is reaching a particular place at a given time. UV index forecasts are sometimes given as part of weather reports.

UVA

UVA is a form of ultraviolet radiation. It is sometimes called long wave UV or black light.

Uveal melanoma

Uveal melanoma is a melanoma that occurs either in the coloured part of the eye (the iris) or other tissues nearby. It is a rare type of cancer.