As of: March 25, 2024, 7:11 p.m
By: Florian Neuroth
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Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in Germany.
The earlier it is detected, the better the chance of recovery.
This is what you should pay attention to.
Frankfurt – The diagnosis was a shock.
Because in autumn 2023 it actually looked as if Patrice Aminati (29), wife of Daniel Aminati, had already put cancer behind her.
Just a few months later, the parents of a small daughter (1) received the depressing findings: the doctors had found metastases in the lungs and the disease had spread.
The TV presenter describes the development on Instagram with moving words.
“We now have to put our gloves back on and get in the ring together,” he said and wrote: “Unfortunately, my wife’s marathon recovery is not over yet.” In fact, the young mother has been fighting the illness for quite some time, which is the first time was discovered about a year ago during “a routine examination”.
At that time, doctors found malignant (black) skin cancer that had already metastasized.
During early skin cancer detection, a dermatologist uses a magnifying glass to look for changes in the skin.
© Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/dpa-tmn/dpa
More and more people in Germany are suffering from black skin cancer - the most common type of cancer in young women
The news brought the disease into public awareness, which more and more people in Germany are suffering from every year.
According to the German Cancer Aid, the frequency of black skin cancer is constantly increasing.
In 2021, this most malignant form of skin cancer was newly diagnosed in 50 out of 100,000 people.
Although it is mainly older people who become ill, black skin cancer is now the most common type of cancer in women between the ages of 20 and 29 and the third most common type of cancer in men.
But what is black skin cancer actually, how can you recognize it and how is it treated?
With around 309,000 new cases every year (370 per 100,000 people), skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in Germany.
One of the biggest risk factors is too much UV radiation.
The Cancer Aid therefore advises avoiding intense UV radiation, for example in the sun, and protecting the skin with clothing or sunscreen.
Genetic characteristics also play a role.
A weakened immune system or many pigment moles, among other things, increase the risk.
Melanoma (black skin cancer) is not easy to recognize for the layperson.
But there are certain signs that you can use as a guide.
© Unihautklinik Tübingen/dpa
Malignant melanoma (black skin cancer) can form early metastases and should be recognized early
There are different forms, such as light or white skin cancer.
Most people suffer from this.
While white skin cancer rarely forms secondary tumors and, according to Krebshilfe, is almost always curable, the situation is different with black skin cancer, or malignant melanoma.
As Cancer Aid writes, melanomas can form early metastases and are then often no longer curable.
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According to the German Cancer Society, most malignant melanomas are detected early enough to be removed through surgery.
In two thirds of all melanomas, the patient would be cured in this way.
Five years after diagnosis, 93 percent of affected women and 91 percent of men were still alive.
Melanoma typically is a flat, dark, irregularly colored patch of skin
This makes it all the more important to detect melanomas early on the body.
According to Krebshilfe, the earlier this happens, the better the chances of recovery and survival in many cases.
This can happen at the doctor's office or at home.
Because everyone should check themselves regularly, and under certain circumstances they can find melanoma if they know what to look for.
According to gesundheitsinformation.de, melanoma on light skin usually looks like a flat, dark, irregularly colored patch of skin.
This can take on different colors: for example reddish, bluish, brown to black and in rare cases also white or skin-colored.
Occasionally, a melanoma also resembles a slightly raised nodule that is brown to black in color.
In principle, melanomas can arise on any part of the body.
They are usually found on the chest and back of men with light skin and on the lower leg of women.
If you have dark skin, melanomas are more likely to form on other parts of your body, including under the soles of your feet and on your genitals.
In addition, melanoma is more difficult to detect in dark skin, as it can appear as a slightly darker spot and is therefore less noticeable, writes gesundheitsinformation.de.
The melanoma can also be colorless, pink or red.
Six signs of black skin cancer: pay attention to shape, color and size
The German Cancer Aid recommends paying particular attention to moles, i.e. liver spots and pigment moles, and lists six signs that could indicate black skin cancer:
A pigment mole is significantly darker, up to brown-black or black, or stands out clearly from other moles.
A pigment mole is irregular in shape and/or color.
A pigment mole changes color.
It gets lighter or darker.
The diameter of a pigment mole is at least two millimeters.
A pigment mole has not grown for years, then suddenly it becomes visibly larger.
The person feels an existing or new pigment mole.
For example, because it burns, itches or bleeds.
Source: German Cancer Aid
There is also the so-called ABCDE rule, which can be used to assess moles.
Anyone who discovers any of these characteristics should have the stain checked by a family doctor as soon as possible.
Artificial intelligence is supposed to detect skin cancer using an app
If you want to minimize your risk, go to the doctor regularly for preventative care.
From the age of 35, people with statutory health insurance are entitled to a skin screening every two years.
The aim is to detect the three main types – malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma – at an early stage.
This increases the chances of healing.
There are now also apps that use artificial intelligence to analyze noticeable areas of skin based on a photo.
As a recent study showed, artificial intelligence in medicine can be helpful in the early detection of skin cancer.
Artificial intelligence detected black skin cancer in 100 percent of cases.
Until then, the following applies: regularly check your body for signs and go to a dermatologist, have skin screenings done and, if you suspect something, see a doctor as quickly as possible.
(Florian Neuroth)
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editorial team cannot answer individual questions about medical conditions