Malignant melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, which is related to melanin, the pigment forming cells in the skin. Melanoma usually looks like a mole or a freckle, which is changing. It is now the fourth most frequent cancer after lung cancer, prostate cancer and breast cancer. Despite the rising incidence of malignant melanoma, the cure rate is good, provided people know what to look for and seek early treatment. It is not a contagious disease. 

Classified into four basic subtypes, melanoma occurs in stages.

Men most often get melanoma on the trunk (the area of the body between the shoulders and hips) or on the head or neck, whereas women most often get melanoma in the arms and legs. 

The warning signs of melanoma would include:

Fortunately almost all skin cancer and most melanomas can be prevented by minimization of sunlight exposure, particularly in the early years of life i.e. from birth to age 20. Sun avoidance, particularly in the middle of the day, use of protective clothing, hats and high sunlight protection factor SPF sunscreens are the basis for the prevention of all forms of skin cancer.

About 70% of melanomas appear on normal skin, and 30% occur in nevi (moles) or other lesions that have changed in appearance. Malignant melanoma is not usually an inherited disease. Less than 5% of melanoma patients have a close relative (parent, sibling, offspring) with melanoma. The risk of other family members developing the disease is thus very small. Excessive exposure to the ultraviolet radiation of the sun is the most important preventable cause of melanoma. Immune system deficiencies and past sunburns and sun exposure at younger ages could also contribute to the development of the condition.

If the doctor suspects that a spot on the skin is melanoma, the patient will need to have a biopsy. A biopsy is the only way to make a definite diagnosis. In this procedure, the doctor tries to remove all of the suspicious-looking growth. If the growth is too large to be removed entirely, the doctor removes a sample of the tissue. A biopsy can usually be done in the doctor's office using a local anesthetic. A pathologist then examines the tissue under a microscope to check for cancer cells. Sometimes it is helpful for more than one pathologist to look at the tissue to determine whether melanoma is present.

Keep the diet simple and alkaline during healing. Add fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet. Consciously add vegetable protein sources for faster healing. Include vitamin C rich food in your diet.

Get early morning sunlight on the skin every day for 15 minutes. Early sun can help heal ulcerations. Midday sun aggravates them.

Skin conditions and abnormalities are very depressing but they should be handled tactfully otherwise they only get more complicated. Mind and body consideration are very important as they help the body to recover from any disease.