Causes:

The exact cause of melanoma is unknown. But events like prolonged sun exposure, excessive use of tanning lamps and sunbeds are known to increase the risk of developing skin cancers, including melanoma.

Symptoms:

Malignant melanomas can surface anywhere on the body, with lower legs in women and backs in men being the most afflicted areas.

Change in the size or appearance of an existing mole or the development of a new mole are referred to as the early signs of melanoma.

While normal moles have a uniform color and a distinct border, a malignant melanoma is characterized by irregular borders with a mixture of colors. It can be oval or round in shape and about 6 millimeters in diameter.

The American Academy of Dermatology has issued a A-B-C-D-E guide that aids in better self-screening:

A for asymmetrical shape – A mole, when divided into two halves, its two sides don’t look the same.

B for border – Moles with blurry, irregular, notched or scalloped borders are to watched out for.

C for changes in color – A mole that changes its color often. Color variations include darkening, spread of color, loss of color, appearance of multiple colors such as blue, red, white, pink, purple or gray.

D for diameter – A mole with a diameter larger than 1/4 inch (6 millimeters) can be cancerous.

E for evolving – A mole that evolve with time. Changes include growing in size, changing color or shape, causing itchiness or starting to bleed.

Prevention:

Some basic precautions observed on a daily basis can greatly help in preventing melanoma. Avoid sun exposure, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m, as the sun rays are strongest during this period. Always wear a sunscreen, preferably with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Protective clothing like, full sleeves shirt, trousers and a hat is an ideal dress when going out.

Avoid sunbathing and tanning salons and go in regular dermatological screening to pick up early spots of melanoma.

Treatment:

Early-stage melanomas can be removed surgically through a simple excision, but treating melanomas that have spread beyond the skin may be tricky and often futile. Available treatments include surgical removal, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy (a biological cure that boosts the body’s immune system to help fight cancer).

Causes:

Mumps is caused by the mumps virus, a member of the Paramyxoviridae family. A highly contagious viral disease, the mumps virus infects the non-infected person immediately upon his coming in contact with the respiratory secretions and tainted saliva of the infected person.

Symptoms:

Fever, headache, body aches, tiredness and anorexia (loss of appetite) are observed as the prodromal (non-specific early-on) symptoms of mumps. The most classical symptom – parotid inflammation (swelling under the ears on one or both sides) usually surfaces about two to three weeks after exposure to the virus.

The patients usually experience pain on chewing or swallowing, as the salivary glands on one or both sides of the face are swollen.

In cases of severe infections, patients suffer from sore face and ears. Males already through puberty can experience orchitis (painful inflammation of the testicle).

Prevention:

Immunization is the most effective measure against mumps. The Mumps vaccine may be administered separately or as part of the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccination. MMR immunization, the vaccination most commonly opted, is a two shot program; first at 12 to 15 months of age followed by the second at 4 to 6 years of age.

Treatment:

Time and rest are the best treatments for those who are not immunized and happen to pick up the infection. Analgesics and Antipyretics help ease pain and fever associated with the infection. But avoid aspirin as it is associated with an increased risk of Reye’s syndrome.

Warm salt water gargles, eating soft foods and taking in extra fluids also potent home remedies that help in relieving symptoms.

As the mumps virus remains highly infective from around 6 days before the onset of symptoms until about 9 days after, complete incubation helps cut down on transmission rates significantly.