Real problems to be concerned about
In other news was an item tucked away about the rural poor who experience a delay in melanoma diagnosis. Instead of researchers focusing on shooting down perfectly good vitamins, why don't they "study" how to solve problems like this?
It seems the further out you live and have to travel to see a dermatologist, the more likely the mole or spot that's causing you concern has had time to thicken. And a thicker melanoma is a deadlier one.
The median distance a patient had to travel in this study was eight miles, and the average depth of tumor cells in the skin (called Breslow thickness) was 0.6 mm. For each mile added to that eight, there was a corresponding 0.6 increase in Breslow thickness.
Poverty and age also played a large role. For every one percent increase in rate of poverty for a patient, there was a corresponding Breslow thickness of one percent. And if they were between the ages of 51 and 80, you had a 19 percent greater Breslow thickness than if they were under the age of 50. For those over the age of 80, that was an incredible 109 percent greater thickness when compared to the under-50 group.
If you suspect any mole or spot on your skin to be anything other than a freckle or an age spot, forget about the distance to the doctor: Move heaven and earth to get it checked out. Ask a neighbor, family member or friend for a ride. If you don't know anyone, call the Department of Health for your county and see what services they offer.
Whatever you do, don't ignore suspicious spots, and don't let time or distance be an excuse.
