Early detection gives you the best chance to tackle melanoma in the early development phase. If you leave it too long, cancer can spread through the body, including through the bloodstream and lymph nodes. Your internal organs are also at great risk, as cancer spreads throughout your body. Treatment of melanoma has developed rapidly in recent years; but further research and experimentation is needed to effectively treat the disease, especially in the latter stages of skin cancer. Some of the current advanced technologies for treatment include: Removal: The cancerous tissue will be removed surgically. The doctor will remove the cancerous tissues as well as some of the bordering tissue. Immunotherapy: This is a type of treatment used to help the body’s own natural immunity increase in order to fight off the melanoma. In the development of this treatment, scientists recognized that the body is able to suppress the growth of cancer cells if the immune system is strong enough to destroy them. This forms the backbone of immunotherapy and holds great promise in future treatment. Lymphatic mapping:  When melanoma has spread to the lymph nodes, a doctor will inject a blue dye into the area where lymph nodes are located to detect the cancer cells.

Melanoma, or skin cancer , is the most common type of cancer. Skin cancers come in three types—melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma—with melanoma making up only approximately 1-percent of skin cancers, but causing the most skin cancer-related deaths. Even though melanoma rates might seem low, the American Cancer Association (ACA) notes that melanoma diagnoses are on the rise, especially during the past 30-years. ACA statistics show that over 87,000 new cases of melanoma are reported annually with a slightly higher instance of new male patients compared to female patients. Akin to many other forms of cancer, melanoma is typically caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, including the following: A Family History of Melanoma Research explains that individuals are at greater risk of developing melanoma if heredity plays a part. More specifically, a mutation of the CDKN2A gene, which can then be passed down from parents to children, and so on. Familial malignant melanoma usually occurs in cases where 2 or more close relatives already have melanoma. An inherited gene mutation in the CDKN2A gene is present in roughly 5- to 25-percent of families and results in heightened familial risk for melanoma. Frequent Tanning and Sunburns Exposing your skin to excessive ultraviolet (or UV) light from tanning beds, sunlamps, and the sun’s rays is one of the prime risk factors for melanoma, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The most common symptoms associated with melanoma to look out for are new moles or freckles, or ones that have changed in appearance. As you know your skin best, yours are the most reliable pair of eyes when it comes to noticing any changes. It’s important to be mindful of all moles and freckles on your body and how they change and develop over time including: Color: You may notice a change in the color of moles or freckles. Black or two-tone moles are especially concerning. Raised moles or freckles: Where otherwise you would see these as being normally flat. Size: Freckles or moles that increase in size should be of concern. Those larger than a pencil eraser are most concerning. Bleeding or crusting: This could be a sign of an advanced skin cancer. A new mole or freckle: With prolonged sun damage it’s common for new moles or freckles to appear. You should keep a particularly close eye on these. Changes to the border of a mole or freckle: This includes crusting or irregular colors and textures that you would notice as abnormal. Itchy: This is not a normal sign of a healthy mole or freckle. Odd shape: If you once knew of a round mole that has changed to an oblong or square shape, then it’s worth getting it checked out.

The treatment for anxiety disorders can be broadly classified under non-pharmacological and pharmacological. Non-pharmacological Treatments for Anxiety Disorders Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) Cognitive-behavioral therapy or CBT is a form of psychotherapy or talk therapy. CBT involves meeting with a mental health therapist to make the patient aware of any irrational, negative or inaccurate thought processes they may have developed. This awareness helps patients view situations in a clearer way and respond to them more effectively. This is how CBT creates effective anti-anxiety mechanisms for patients. Unlike other forms of psychotherapy, CBT is very structured and involves a limited number of sessions so it can be completed quickly. During the sessions, the patient discusses their feelings and thoughts related to their disorder. If patients are shy or unable to share their feelings and experiences, the therapist can help the patient open up. The therapist often has the patient perform activities outside of the sessions to supplement skills learned during the session. CBT involves four steps, the first is to identify the situation causing anxiety and set a goal for therapy. The treatment then shifts to making the patient aware of their patterns of thought during anxiety-provoking situations including interpretations of events. What patients tell themselves about the situation is crucial.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD is the recurrence of intrusive thoughts and impulses with a compulsion to complete repetitive behaviors. What are the symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder? Doubt and double-checking Fear of contamination Excessive cleaning A need to have objects in order or placed symmetrically Unacceptable aggressive, sexual or religious intrusive thoughts Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (the need to have everything perfect and in order) may also accompany the disease Obsessive thoughts Fear of being dirty Concern with body odor or body functioning Fear of thinking of something bad or doing something embarrassing Obsession with counting Thinking of specific words or sounds repetitively Need of constant approval Fear that something bad will happen to oneself or others Compulsive actions Frequently bathing or brushing teeth Constantly cleaning and organizing Rechecking objects Repetitive actions Hoarding Asking a question over and over again Taking extreme measures to avoid harm What causes obsessive compulsive disorder? The cause of OCD is still not completely understood. Like with many other anxiety disorders, it is thought to be related to a combination of genetic, environmental and biological factors, including altered brain activity (such as abnormal circuitry function in specific regions of the brain). Streptococcal infections like strep throat and scarlet fever have also been known to induce OCD-like symptoms or to worsen them in children.