Mai Violet: the operation against skin cancer

The month of May was chosen by Defeat Melanoma so that everyone becomes aware of the vital need to protect themselves against the sun.

Stands run by volunteers, distribution of leaflets, digital and paper display… As part of Mai Violet, Defeat Melanoma organizes demonstrations and events in the region to inform the general public about skin cancers, the majority of which are linked to exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun. The mayors of France have been asked by the association to take part in the prevention campaign. Among the municipalities that answered present: La Baule (44), Orléans (45), 57 municipalities around Lyon (69) or even some Parisian districts.

“Our main objective is to develop appropriate prevention and early detection measures in coordination with health professionals to avoid aggravation of the disease with treatment that is unfortunately sometimes too late”explains Béatrice Champenois, President of the association Defeat Melanomain a press release.

Inform and mobilize

For Defeat Melanoma, it is necessary to inform the general public, but also to mobilize against skin cancer. The association, created in 2009 by relatives of patients and healthcare professionals, aims to “to advance the knowledge of as many people as possible around prevention, treatment and research” of skin cancer.

“Skin cancers, and particularly melanomas, still cause too many victims and too many deaths, we can really act together. More than 15,000 people develop cutaneous melanoma each year and 80% of deaths among skin cancers are linked to this disease”, says Béatrice Champenois. Moreover, this number is constantly increasing.

For the president of the association, “the main danger of this pathology, if it is not treated early, is its rapidity in metastasizing towards vital organs such as the liver, the lungs, the brain”.

She warns: “It is essential to make as many people as possible understand that melanoma can most of the time be cured if detected at an early stage.. It is therefore necessary to monitor your skin regularly. Don’t let a mole or blemish ruin your life”.

Dorothée, 59, waited too long before consulting a dermatologist. She testifies: “I saw a spot appear on my skin and I waited before consulting. This small spot grew steadily, it became embarrassing and very visible. Surgery was required after an analysis and diagnosis of melanoma by a dermatologist.”

She never protected herself much from the sun because in her time, “tanning was fashionable” and she suffered, a few years later, the consequences: “I got out of trouble but I have to protect myself completely from the sun’s rays, hat, glasses, high protection cream. My sun capital is reached. A piece of advice, don’t wait if you have the slightest doubt, regularly observe your skin and above all protect yourself from the sun”.

For the association, individuals are not always aware of the risks incurred by exposing themselves to the sun, and therefore do not act accordingly. “Natural and artificial ultraviolet rays are responsible for a large number of skin cancers, avoid them”concludes Béatrice Champenois.

The key to preventing skin cancer

• Skin cancer is the only visible cancer. Don’t let a mole or a blemish ruin your life;
• A stain on the skin that evolves is a risk of melanoma. Ask for an emergency dermatological consultation;
• Between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. the ultraviolet rays of the sun are too aggressive. Avoid them, prefer the shade;
• Protect your skin even on cloudy days: sunscreen every 2 hours, glasses, hat and appropriate clothing;
• Adapted skin protection = preserved sun capital.

This information was published by the association Defeat Melanoma.

Melanoma, what treatment?

Professor Caroline Robert, head of the dermato-oncology department at Gustave Roussy analyzed for Defeat Melanoma the state of research and treatments for melanoma cancer.

For the moment, the reference treatments for skin cancers are immunotherapies “by anti-PD-1 with or without anti-CTLA-4”antibodies administered intravenously.

If the melanoma carries a mutation, there are targeted treatments administered orally.

“Today, thanks to advances in research, the one-year survival rate is over 70% and almost half of patients are still alive five years after diagnosis, which represents a tremendous advance in the history of cancerology

Research continues to advance toward finding a cure, but it’s important to remember that prevention is key. “Good protective measures and observation of your skin could prevent many of these pathologies”argues the association.