What is melanoma?

Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer.

Skin cells are damaged by exposure to sunlight (i.e. UV radiation). These damaged cells often aggregate to form moles, most moles are harmless. However, in some cases these damaged cells mutate and grow uncontrollably either by expanding outwards or down into the lower levels of the skin.

A melanoma is not easy to identify as it may take on many different physical forms. Some look like irregular moles but not all. Most melanomas take on a black or brown colour, but it could also appear with other colours including pink, white and blue.

If detected early, the five year survival rates for melanoma are high. However, if the damaged cells have spread to the lower levels of the skin, to lymph nodes or even through the bloodstream to other vital organs the survival rate is significantly lower.

For context, around 15,000 a year are diagnosed with melanoma every year in Australia and sadly about 10% of those diagnosed will die from the disease within 5 years.

The primary cause of melanoma skin cancer is cumulative exposure to the sun.

The good news is that because melanoma is mainly caused by overexposure to the sun, it is also one of the most preventable forms of cancer. Dermatologists agree that sun protective UPF clothing is the most effective way to prevent skin cancer.

Australia is the global leader in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of melanoma skin cancer.

Solbari is the leading sun protective UPF clothing brand in Australia with customers in over 60 countries. Solbari offers an award-winning range of UPF 50+ sun protection clothing, broad brim sun hats, arm sleeves and umbrellas.

You can find out more about Solbari's sun protective range by clicking the links below:
Women UPF 50+
Men UPF 50+
Sun hats UPF 50+
Accessories UPF 50+
SPF 50+ Sunscreen