In the skin cancer family, it’s considered the most defiant. “Unfortunately, it’s one the most aggressive and in general is the most aggressive with the greatest potential of very serious complications, even mortality,” says Lee Memorial Health System plastic surgeon, Dr. Drew Kreegel.

Less than 1% of skin cancer patients are diagnosed with melanoma, but it does pack a powerful punch. “Melanoma carries a much greater potential than the other cancers for spreading to the other areas of the body, the other organs and being life threatening,” explains Dr. Kreegel. Melanoma is a malignant tumor that originates in the cells responsible for creating pigments in our skin, hair, and eyes.

New treatments are now being researched. “There are some immunological studies, clinical trials, going on with chemotherapy clinical trials, but its still very difficult cancer to treat when its in the advanced stages,” says Dr. Kreegel.

Everyone has some risk of developing melanoma. Those chances can increase based on the number of moles on the skin, even your skin type and genetic makeup “When it’s in the early stages, it can be caught and cured just like other cancers,” adds Dr. Kreegel.

Doctors urge you to wear an SPF of at least 15 if you are spending any length of time outdoors and alert your physician if you see an unusual spots forming on your body.