In our previous post we discussed how the link between the deadly skin cancer Melanoma and Viagra use was discovered and what exactly Melanoma is, but how can you tell if you may have Melanoma and how can it be treated?
Symptoms of the Deadly Skin Cancer Melanoma
Melanoma can appear anywhere on the skin, but it is most common on the face, arms, back and legs. Symptoms of melanoma include changes in the appearance of a mole or the development of a new growth or pigmentation in the skin.
Growths are more suspicious for melanoma if they:
- Change over time
- Are more than 1/4 of an inch in diameter
- Have uneven coloring
- Have irregular borders
- Are asymmetrical
Melanomas may also itch, bleed or leak fluid.
The presence of melanoma is typically confirmed through a biopsy, which is a procedure that involves removing a small piece of tissue to examine under a microscope. If cancer is present, further testing may be required in order to determine the extent of the disease.
Causes of Melanoma
Some people mistakenly believe that melanoma is caused by too much exposure to sunlight. However, although UV exposure can contribute to the development of this condition, it doesn't cause all melanomas.
The Mayo Clinic states:
"UV light doesn't cause all melanomas, especially those that occur in places on your body that don't receive exposure to sunlight. This indicates that other factors may contribute to your risk of melanoma." (From the Mayo Clinic, sourced 5/18/2015).
Scientists can't always pinpoint the exact cause of a person's melanoma. However, they have been able to associate the condition with certain risk factors. Some of the risk factors for melanoma include:
- Exposure to UV light
- Family history of melanoma
- Depressed immune system
- History of sunburn
- Fair skin
Most recently, studies have shown that taking Viagra may also increase your risk of developing this condition.
Treatment
The treatment for melanoma depends on the severity of the disease. When melanoma is found early, it may be cured with removal of the tumor. In cases where the cancer has spread, surgery to remove the tumor and affected lymph nodes is often necessary. Some other treatments for melanoma include biological therapy, radiation and chemotherapy.
Although they may extend your life or even cure your cancer, all of these treatments can be difficult to face. For example, radiation therapy can cause both short-term and long-term side effects that can alter your quality of life dramatically. In fact, this type of treatment may even increase your risk of developing another cancer in the future. According to the American Cancer Society:
"A long-term problem linked to radiation treatment is the possible increased risk of getting a second cancer sometime in the future. A second cancer may develop many years later, and is caused by the radiation damage to healthy tissues." (From American Cancer Society, sourced 5/18/2015).
If you would like to explore the possibility of bringing legal action to obtain compensation for a melanoma related to Viagra usage, please contact the experienced attorneys at Marc Whitehead & Associates, LLP at (855)-423-3666 to discuss your options.
For more information regarding the link between Viagra and the deadly skin cancer Melanoma, please download a free copy of our e-book, Viagra, The Unvarnished Truth-How The Link Between the Deadly Skin Cancer Melanoma and Viagra.