Tracking Tennessee melanoma cases one county at a time

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — It is important to be safe in the sun when you’re enjoying the outdoors, especially over the course of the holiday weekend.

The National Cancer Institute tracks Tennessee melanoma cases county-by-county. Some counties across the state are seeing skin cancer cases go up. The skin is our body’s largest organ and also largely vulnerable to the elements, especially in sunny states like Tennessee.

“For Tennessee specifically, the data shows that we actually have a pretty brisk rate or incidence of melanoma,” said Dr. Vineet Mishra , dermatologist at Restoration Dermatology in Nashville.

Mishra said that he works with his patients and teaches them to spot warning signs of melanoma — a skin cancer that grows rapidly and can spread to the brain and liver. If not caught soon enough, it can turn fatal.

“It is actually one of the deadliest skin cancers around,” Mishra told News 2. “And “In the U.S., we actually see quite a few cases of melanoma.”

According to the National Cancer Institute, many of Tennessee’s counties are seeing stable melanoma rates, but not every county is so stable. Certain people are more at risk for developing the condition: people with a family history of melanoma, immunocompromised people or people with a lighter complexion.

“The more fair-skinned you are, the higher the risk is because you have less melanin in your skin,” Mishra said. “Melanin is what protects you from the UV damage that causes the melanoma.”

Early detection is key. Mishra said that you should have your skin checked if a mole is asymmetrical, has jagged edges, is multicolored, or has changed shape.

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“If we can try and find these melanomas sooner while they are smaller, not as deep, the outcomes are much higher for patients down the road,” Mishra said.

Mishra added that his clinic at 3803 Bedford Avenue is holding an open house on Thursday, July 11 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. to spread the message about skin safety.

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