Melanoma Monday

Why It Matters — and Why It’s More Than Just Another Day

Every year, the first Monday in May marks Melanoma Monday, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the deadliest form of skin cancer. But this isn’t just another date on the calendar — it’s a somber reminder of the importance of vigilance, early detection, and proactive skin health.

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. It can grow quickly, spread silently, and become life-threatening if it’s not found and treated early.

Today, we invite you to take a moment and think about your own life. Do you know someone who has fought melanoma? Maybe your parents or grandparents do. Maybe a friend, a neighbor, or a coworker. If no one immediately comes to mind, you probably still know more about melanoma than you realize — because several well-known public figures have faced this fight, too.

The Alarming Rise of Melanoma

Melanoma rates have been rising steadily over the past few decades. In fact, it’s one of the most common cancers in young adults, especially young women. Here’s what you should know:

• One person dies of melanoma every hour in the United States.
• It only takes one bad sunburn — especially in childhood — to dramatically raise your risk later in life.
• Early detection makes a huge difference. When caught early, melanoma is highly treatable. Left untreated, it can spread to the lymph nodes and potentially to distant organs. Melanoma doesn’t just stay on the skin. It’s a cancer that can travel fast and wide if you ignore the warning signs.

What Is Melanoma and How Does It Spread?

Melanoma starts in the melanocytes — the cells that give your skin its pigment. It can form in a mole you already have, or appear as a brand-new spot. Without early detection, melanoma can invade deeper layers of the skin, spread through the lymphatic system, and move into vital organs. That’s why fast action matters so much.

How Fast Does Melanoma Spread?

Melanoma is notorious for its ability to spread rapidly. Certain types, like nodular melanoma, can become life-threatening in as little as six weeks if left untreated.

Once melanoma cells reach the lymphatic system, they can travel to nearby lymph nodes, making treatment more complex and outcomes more serious.

Here’s how survival rates change depending on when melanoma is caught:

• Localized melanoma (still confined to the skin): 5-year survival rate is about 99%.
• Regional spread (into nearby lymph nodes): 5-year survival rate drops to around 65%.
• Distant metastasis (spread to organs like lungs, liver, brain): 5-year survival rate falls to about 25%. These numbers make it crystal clear — catching melanoma early saves lives.

How to Catch It Early

Good news: you have more power than you think. Start by checking your own skin — and remember the ABCDEs of melanoma:

A is for Asymmetry. One half doesn’t match the other.

B is for Border. Edges are irregular, ragged, or blurred.

C is for Color. Different colors or shades in the same spot — tan, brown, black, even red, white, or blue.

D is for Diameter. Bigger than a pencil eraser (about 6 mm).

E is for Evolving. Any mole or spot that changes in size, shape, color, or texture.

Anything suspicious? Trust your instincts and get it checked.

Don’t Let Melanoma go Undetected

At Midwest Dermatology, we also use FotoFinder — a high-resolution skin imaging system — to catch the tiniest changes before they can become dangerous. FotoFinder imaging is available at our Papillion location and is open to all patients — whether you’re seen at Midwest Dermatology or elsewhere. We’ll even forward your images to your regular dermatologist if needed. Because when it comes to melanoma, the earlier you find it, the better your chance at a healthy outcome.

Schedule FotoFinder HERE or call (402) 933-0800

And remember: an annual full-body skin exam with a board-certified dermatologist is essential. Self-checks are important, but they don’t replace professional evaluations.

Melanoma Affects More People Than You Think

If you don’t personally know someone affected by melanoma, consider these well-known names:

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York — Diagnosed with malignant melanoma during reconstructive surgery in early 2024.

Khloé Kardashian — Underwent surgery to remove melanoma from her face.

Molly-Mae Hague — The “Love Island” star had a malignant melanoma removed, prompting her to speak publicly about early detection.

Andy Cohen — Television host who had melanoma removed from his lip after early detection. Melanoma doesn’t care about fame, fortune, age, or lifestyle. It can affect anyone — and it often does.

Take Action This Melanoma Monday

This Melanoma Monday, we invite you to take a moment to:

• Perform a thorough self-examination using the ABCDE guide.
• Schedule your annual skin exam with a board-certified dermatologist.
• Consider advanced imaging with FotoFinder for detailed tracking of your skin over time.

And if you can’t remember the last time you had a total body skin exam — or if you never have — now is the time to act.

Schedule your appointment today by calling (402) 933-0800 or book online here.

Because early detection isn’t just powerful — it’s lifesaving. Protect your skin. Protect your future. Encourage the people you love to do the same.