The life of Teddi Mellencamp is hanging in the balance while fighting an aggressive form of stage 4.
The star of “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” revealed this week that his father, the rock legend John Mellencamp, who already made burial plans after his melanoma extended to his lungs and brain.
The publication took advantage of two experts to obtain information about the “black tumor” that sends about 8,000 Americans to the grave every year, and what it can do to avoid becoming one of them.
What makes melanoma so dangerous?
“Many skin cancers, for example, basal cell carcinoma, grow only on the skin and do not commonly spread, “Viktoryia Kazlouskaya, CEO of the Dermatology Circle, told The Post Dr. Viktoryia Kazlouskaya.
Melanoma, meanwhile, is a completely different beast.
“Melanoma is considered the most dangerous type of skin cancer because it has a high potential to spread (metastasis) to other parts of the body if it is not detected and treated early,” said Dr. Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, dermatologist.
This is because melanoma cells act differently from other skin cancer cells, quickly extending to other organists and tissues through the blood system and the lymphatic system, Mudgil explained.
The risk of propagation of melanoma depends on several factors, added Kazlouskaya, including the size and stage of the tumor, the age of the patient and any other medical condition they may have, as a suppressed immune system.
For Mellencamp, whom he was diagnosed with melanoma in 2022, doctors discovered multiple tumors in their brain in February, who believe that “they had been growing for at least six months.”
“All these are a direct result of my melanoma,” he shared through Instagram in March. Since then, doctors have also found tumors in their lungs.
How do you see melanoma?
“Melanomas can appear as a new mole, a changing lunar or a place with an irregular shape, edge or color, or with tones of brown, black or pink, red or white,” Mudgil said.
“The things to look for are the” ABCDE “or the melanoma: asymmetry, irregularity of the edge, variability of the color, diameter greater than 6 mm (which is the size of a pencil draft) and, finally, the evolution of an existing lunar to the exheensities.” ”
While it is useful to monitor your skin for any change, Kazlouskaya said that, in many cases, you will need a professional to evaluate suspicious spots.
“Many common moles can be large or slightly irregular, but they are not dangerous,” he said. “And vice versa: Melanomas are not always very atypical and sometimes not only have pigment.”
Who is at risk of melanoma?
“Melanoma can affect people of all colors and ethnicities of the skin,” Mudgil said.
However, the skin of the light significantly increases its possibilities of developing the disease. In fact, the life risk of obtaining melanoma is 1 in 33 for whites, compared to only 1 in 1000 for blacks, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).
This is because the clearest skin contains less melanin, the pigment that protects against UV damage. Among people with lighter skin, the risk is higher for people with red or blond hair, blue or green eyes, or skin that caught or burn easily.
The risk of melanoma also increases with age. The average age of diagnosed Americans is 66 years old, but it is one of the most common cancers in people under 30, especially young women.
Other risk factors include being men, having several moles, personal or family history of the disease and history of solar burns, particularly in childhood. People who spend a lot of time outdoors can also face a higher risk due to incoada to the sun.
How can I protect myself from melanoma?
Most leather cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet rays (UV).
To reduce your risk of melanoma, it is essential to take into account how much exposure to UV rays is receiving.
“Daily sunscreen and protective clothing when the sun is extreme are simple prevention measures,” Kazlouskaya said.
The sun’s rays are stronger between 10 am and 4 pm, so try to avoid being the thesis hours out or stay in the shade.
But do not be deceived by cloudy or cold days: UV rays can still reach it, and reflect surfaces such as water, cement and snow. That is why you must use a broad spectrum sun protector with a SPF or 30 or more every day, regardless of the weather.
And never, never stepped on a bronzed bed inside. They emit harmful UV radiation, and studies show that using one before 35 can increase their risk of melanoma by up to 75%.
Finally, prevention is key.
“Annual skin controls and self -exams can help detect a suspicious place from the beginning,” Kazlouskaya said.
What are my probabilities or surviving mylanoma?
“Melanoma is among the most mortal ‘cancers we know.” Kazlouskaya said. The key to successful treatment is early detection.
“The sooner we trapped it, the better,” he explained. “In the first internships, it can be cured with a simple split and has a wonderful prognosis.”
But once cancer spreads, these chances change dramatically.
In cases where melanoma has not spread beyond the skin, 99 out of every 100 patients will survive for five years after diagnosis, according to the ACS.
That number falls significantly to only 35 out of 100 patients when cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, such as lungs or liver.
In 2025, the ACS estimates that around 104,960 new melanoma cases will be diagnosed in the US, with approximately 8,430 Americans that are expected to die from the disease.
“If you see something unusual in your skin, see a dermatologist certified by the Board as soon as possible!” Mudgil said.
