Posts Tagged ‘melanoma’

  • THE SKIN GAME

    I was calmly reading Barbara Streisand’s biography while waiting in a surgeon’s clinic. A few days before, I had undergone a biopsy to remove a mole which in the last months had seemingly cropped out of nowhere on my skin. On that day I was to meet the surgeon to get feedback about it. I wasn’t worried at all. I was sure that there was nothing wrong with the mole as I felt completely healthy. Ironically I was actually irritated for spending more money on such futile tests! Little did I know what was waiting for me. Nothing ever changed my life that much…

    My surgeon greeted me warmly and then slowly but quite directly, he told me that the results of the mole removed were positive. Ah, good then, I thought. Positive is ok, no? But my surgeon shook his head. The results were positive on the reporting of a malignant mole. It was a Melanoma case. In short – I had cancer! I was surprised by the result and could not quite get it. For a brief moment I thought that my surgeon was playing a nasty joke on me to see how I would react to such news. Playfully I even asked him whether I should start saying goodbye to all the people I knew before I got buried? But he did not laugh and instead he started to inform me about the procedures which would follow, whilst reassuring me that I will be in good hands. I left the clinic still quite incredulous. It was the silence that followed as soon as I phoned my husband to tell him the news that finally burned the dire reality in my mind.

    I drove home as if in a dream. I had never ever thought of ending up in this way. I was shocked at how life can change within a few minutes. I was only 37 and definitely not ready to die at all. I thought of my daughter who was only six and of my husband. Then my parents came to my mind and I felt deeply concerned about the consequences of such news upon them. My relatives and friends followed and then the people I had loved and those who had loved me. My life ran fast in my mind as if I was watching a film. I arrived home and my daughter came running happily to hug me as she always does. In the background I could see my husband looking at me thoughtfully. How could I leave all this behind me? How could I tell to such a young child that she could lose her mother in a short time?

    Thankfully this matter was followed up promptly by another small operation in which this time, the immediate flesh that surrounded the area where the mole had appeared, was removed.  The cancer had not penetrated much into the skin and therefore that was all physically, except that I had to attend to regular follow ups with my doctor and obviously I had to ensure not to expose myself too much to the sun and to apply protective sunscreens.

    However psychologically I was badly shaken. I had decided not to tell anyone about my Melanoma until I did the operation and the results proved that I was out of danger… although you never actually have this guarantee. But in this way, I relieved my relatives of all the stress that was involved until the results were issued. There were only a few days of waiting but all along them I felt distraught. It was as if my world had stopped moving and instead I was completely focused on myself. How was I going to survive this? What could I do to help myself? Maybe there was nothing that I could do but pray. I had been noticing and ignoring the appearance of this strange dark mole for months now and I was not sure how much harm I had allowed myself to get into. Warnings of the Health Department kept nagging at my mind but strangely there were always other things which I deemed more important to take care of and I kept postponing in referring this matter to a doctor until one day I found the time.

    Actually, on looking back at my life I realized that I had a regular tendency to ignore my self. I had moved from one job to another without ever doing what I really wanted – to study archaeology. I had stopped writing novels because I never ever found time. Moreover I had for long tried to smother the love I felt for drama because those around me never approved. In a nutshell, I never gave myself the time to do what my soul really craved for. This recognition began to eat me up in despair. I promised myself that if I succeeded to surpass this incident, my life would change. I would never ignore myself anymore!

    Fortunately another chance was in store for me and I surely kept my word. In a few months’ time I managed to introduce my writing to Aleks Farrugia, the Torċa editor, and he allocated me a weekly two-page article in his newspaper. Moreover, I attended to drama workshops and subsequently I was entrusted with a number of roles in various TV productions. I finally allowed myself to study the subjects I yearned for so much and this year I started a BA in Archaeology and Anthropology.

    I must admit that I am finally really living and not simply existing. Ironically it had to be a close brush with death to set me in motion. I am grateful that I was allowed another chance, knowing that not everybody is so lucky. An adequate health insurance was providential to cover such an urgent matter. Moreover I owe my life to our professional local surgeons and to the Health Authorities who constantly warn and inform us about how to protect ourselves from the sun’s rays and how to recognize any suspicious moles and symptoms. Finally I am adamant to use this experience to safeguard others from this potential risk. I want to ensure that this second chance saved much more than one life…

    Interview with Dr Charmaine Gauci – Director, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate.

    What is Melanoma and how is it caused?

    Melanoma is a skin cancer caused by unprotected exposure to UV rays. It forms within melanocite cells which are found within the skin to give it pigmentation. When these cells are excessively exposed  to the sun, they start to change shape and to multiply whilst also becoming cancerous. Unfortunately Melanoma cases are increasing because of two main factors: the depletion of the ozone layer and a new lifestyle resulting in spending more time near the sea under the sun’s rays.

    What are the symptoms of Melanoma?

    In the beginning an individual feels perfectly healthy. It is only when the cancer grows deeper that some symptoms are perceived due to metastesis. At this point, the cancer would prove more difficult to cure. It cannot be stressed enough how crucial it is that if one identifies a suspicious mole, one must immediately refer it to a doctor. If recognized in an early phase, a Melanoma can be cured in a short time. However, if ignored, Melanoma could be fatal.

    How do you recognize a malignant mole?

    ABCDE Leaflet 2011 – melanoma Regular self-examination is the best way to get familiar with the moles on your skin. Tricky areas such as the feet soles should not be forgotten. Moreover, a family member or a friend can help you check areas which you cannot see yourself, such as the back, the scalp and the mouth. For the identifying of malignant moles, the ABCDE rule is recommended:

    Asymmetry: when a mole is not symmetrical;

    Border: when a mole’s border is irregular;

    Colour: when there is different colour pigmentation in same mole;

    Diameter: when a mole reaches around 6mm (although there are also smaller moles which are malignant);

    Evolution: if a mole starts changing shape, size, colour or if blood comes out of it. Moreover, a mole which appears late in life should always be given attention.

    How is Melanoma cured?

    In case of an early identification, a biopsy and an excision will remove the cancerous area. If the cancer has already spread in the skin, other methods such as chemo-therapy and radio-therapy are used. Eventually each case is treated according to that particular situation.

    What are the recommended precautions to decrease the risk of Melanoma?

    One should definitely avoid exposure to UV rays during the severest hours of the sun, that is from 11:00am to 4:00pm. Even in cloudy weather UV rays are still dangerous. Umbrellas give some measure of protection but never enough. Sunscreen creams/sprays are a must but they should not be considered as sun-blocks because no product actually stops the sun’s rays from penetrating the skin. When choosing a sunscreen cream/spray, a high factor is recommended. Re-application every two to three hours is suggested especially if one has gone for a swim. Light clothing, hats and sun glasses are further protective measures.

    I would like to emphasize that these harmful rays are not only existant near the sea. UV rays are found everywhere and therefore for example a housewife should avoid washing the clothes on the roof during these hours. The same is suggested to workers who’s work is outside like technicians and salesmen.

    From which grade are UV rays dangerous?

    From 3 – 4, one should start taking precautions. From 5 – 6, UV rays are moderate but one must apply a sunscreen. At more than grade 6, UV rays are extremely harmful.

    What is the probability of re-emergence of Melanoma in an individual who has already been cured of it?

    These individuals will have a greater pre-disposition to the effects of Melanoma and therefore they should take stricter precautions.

    How much has this condition spread in our country? Have there been any fatalities in Malta due to Melanoma?

    New Cases in Malta: 1999 – 2008

    Males 163 and Females 196

    Deaths attributed to malignant cutaneous Melanoma: 1999 – 2009

    Males 43 and Females 27

    Our directorate works in different settings including schools, workplaces and the community. Anyone who would like to organize a health promotion program can contact us on tel: 2326 6789 or email: charmaine.gauci@gov.mt. More information is available on our website: http://www.sahha.gov.mt.

    (Note: An edited version of this article was published on FIRST Issue July 2011)

    2011.07.01 / no responses / Category: Malta Independent on Sunday - First magazine

  • BNIEDEM AVŻAT, NOFSU ARMAT!

    Issa li qorob is-Sajf u li s-sħana bdiet tinħass sew, il-qilla tax-xemx diġa’ qed turi snienha mhux ħażin. In-nies bdiet tqaċċat il-ħwejjeġ u tintefa’ tilgħaq ix-xemx bit-tama li tismar u tiġi aktar attraenti. Imma fir-realtà x’aħna nieħdu minn dawn ir-raġġi? Kulħadd konxju li proprju dik ix-xemx li tant tagħti ħajja, kapaċi tifrex ukoll il-mewt?

    Bħal daż-żmien sena ħadt l-akbar qatgħa ta’ ħajti! Kont naħseb li ma nibżax mill-mewt. Imma meta ġejt wiċċ’imb’wiċċ magħha, l-istorja kienet differenti. Mhux eżatt għax bżajt minnha… aktar Protezzjoni tax-xemxinħsadt għax ġiet bla mistennija, thedded li ser teħodni magħha. Kien għad fadalli wisq aktar x’nagħmel f’ħajti. F’daqqa ndunajt li bilkemm kont għadni bdejt ngħix jien. Intbaħt li ma kontx lesta li nitlaq kollox hekk ħabta u sabta. Kien hemm wisq nies għal qalbi jiddependu minni. U kont ħallejt wisq għall-għada, dak li messni għamilt il-bieraħ. Ħlift li jekk noħroġ minn din is-sitwazzjoni, nibdel il-perspettiva tiegħi lejn ħajti. Nitgħallem ngħożża aktar, ngħix aktar bis-saħħa u nagħmel dak li għandi nagħmel illum qabel għada. U Alla sema’ talbi. U jien żammejt kelmti.

    Qatt ma kont bsart li naqra ta’ tebgħa ċkejkna fil-ġilda taf toħloq kjass daqshekk kbir. Niftakar l-ewwel darba li ndunajt biha, ma tantx tajt kasha. Kienet qisha għazza bħall-oħrajn. Però tiskanta, l-istint jgħidlek. Deherli li qatt ma kelli għazz f’dak il-post partikolari u f’moħħi mill-ewwel irreġistraw it-twissijiet li smajt kemm il-darba fuq ir-radju jew rajt fuq it-TV. Imma bil-ħajja mgħaġġla li ngħix, ippreferejt ninjoraha. Irraġunajt li kif ġiet, titlaq. Imma ma kienx il-każ.

    L-għazza kienet ta’ kulur iswed faħam, differenti ħafna mill-għazz tas-soltu. U l-qies tagħha, xahar wara l-ieħor beda jikber quddiem għajnejja. U xorta bqajt ma ħadtx azzjoni. Kont inħossni perfettament b’saħħti. Ma deherli li kelli xejn ħażin. U bqajt għaddejja.

    Kien biss leħen il-kuxjenza ta’ dak it-tagħlim li smajt mid-Dipartiment tas-Saħħa jtambar ġo moħħi li fl-aħħar ġegħelni niċċaqlaq. Is-sintomi kienu qed jgħajjtu biex nagħti kashom. U fl-aħħar ċedejt. U mn’Alla! Għax l-għazza kienet Melanoma, kanċer fil-ġilda… u jien kont qed inħallih jikolni ftit ftit mingħajr ma nagħmel xejn.

    Meta urejtha lit-tabiba tiegħi, ma dehriliex li kienet inkwetanti imma rreferietni għand speċjalista biex nikkonfermaw. Dan issuġġerili nagħmel biopsy tagħha u minn hemm ħareġ riżultat pożittiv – Euromelanoma Advert kienet kanċer. Kont waħdi fil-klinika miegħu meta qalli u meta spjegali dwar x’kienet tfisser Melanoma. Għall-ewwel intfajt nidħak. Temmnuni li akkost kemm kienet serja s-sitwazzjoni, għaddieli minn rasi li setgħet kienet xi ċajta? Imma mbagħad għedt, ċajta hekk? U ksaħt meta d-dinja tar-realtà waqgħet ħabta u sabta fuqi. L-ispeċjalista qalli illi l-Melanoma kienet waħda mill-aktar kanċers serji għax kienet l-aktar fatali. Kien hemm bżonn li nagħmel aktar testijiet ħalli naraw sa fejn laħqet niżlet…

    Ġew f’moħħi n-nies kollha li huma għeżież għalija, il-postijiet li nħobb, l-affarijiet li nogħxa nagħmel. U rajthom kollha jintfew ftit ftit. Iżda mbagħad it-tabib għamilli l-kuraġġ u spjegali illi teżisti kura għal dan il-kanċer u li jekk Alla jrid kollox jerġa’ lura għan-normal.

    Il-kanċer kien laħaq beda nieżel l-isfel fil-ġilda imma mhux biżżejjed li jagħmel ħafna ħsara. Permezz ta’ operazzjoni qasira, tneħħiet il-parti kanċeruża tal-ġilda u ftit aktar ġilda mill-madwar. U dak kien kollox. Kont salva! Stajt nieħu ħajti lura.

    Ħassejtni daqs li kieku twelidt mill-ġdid. Kien ċans ieħor u ma ridtx naħlih. Daqshekk inqlejt fix-xemx u l-prekawzjonijiet bdejt neħodhom sewwa. Mhux li ġejt iffissata tafux. Imma sirt aktar responsabbli.

    Illum ideċidejt li niftħilkhom tieqa żgħira fuq ħajti biex inġibkhom konxji li din il-problema taf tolqot lil kulħadd. Tkellimt ukoll mat-tabiba Charmaine Gauci biex tispjega aktar fid-dettall dwar din it-theddida mill-espożizzjoni għar-raġġi tax-xemx.

    Minn qalbi nirringrazzja lil kull min kellu sehem biex lili twasslitli din l-informazzjoni u meta ġie l-waqt swietli letteralment ħajti.

    Illum iddeċidejt li nagħti lura lilkhom dak li ħadt jien. Hekk jew hekk sewwa jgħidu, bniedem avżat, nofsu armat.

    Fiona Vella

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    INTERVISTA: DR CHARMAINE GAUCI – Direttur fid-Dipartiment Għall-Promozzjoni tas-Saħħa u l-Prevenzjoni tal-Mard

    X’inhi Melanoma u kif tiġi kkawżata?

    Melanoma hija kanċer tal-ġilda. Jeżistu diversi tipi ta’ kanċers tal-ġilda iżda issir enfażi fuq il-Melanoma għaliex din hija l-aktar kanċer serju, tant li jekk tiġi injorata, tista’ twassal għall-mewt.  Il-Dr Charmaine GauciMelanoma tiġi kkawżata meta wieħed jiġi espost għar-raġġi UV mingħajr protezzjoni adegwata. Hemm tliet kwalitajiet ta’ raġġi UV: hemm ir-raġġi UVA li huma l-maġġoranza tar-raġġi li jgħaddu mix-xemx għal fuq l-art u ovvjament għalina, hemm ir-raġġi UVB li ħafna minnhom jiġu ffiltrati mis-saff tal-ożonu u hemm ukoll ir-raġġi UVC li jiġu ffiltrati għal kollox. Dawn tal-aħħar huma l-aktar perikolużi imma anki l-oħrajn jagħmlu l-ħsara fil-ġisem tal-bniedem. Ngħidu aħna r-raġġi UVA ma jikkawżawx ħruq tal-ġilda (sunburn) imma min-naħa l-oħra dawn huma l-kaġun ta’ tikmix u tbajja’ fil-ġilda (ġieli anki billi timxi fit-triq esposta għalihom), ħsara fl-għajnejn bħal kataretti u f’każi aktar serji anki l-kanċer.

    Issa aħna fil-ġilda tagħna għandna dawk li jissejjħu melanocites. Il-melanocites huma ċelloli fil-ġilda li jagħtuha l-kulur – aktar ma jkun hemm minnhom, aktar il-bniedem ikollu ġilda skura. Il-Melanoma tifforma meta dawn iċ-ċelloli tal-melanocites isirilhom dannu minħabba l-espożizzjoni għar-raġġi tax-xemx. Il-melanocites jibdew jikbru b’mod differenti, jimmultiplikaw u jsiru kanċerużi.

    Il-każi tal-Melanoma qed jiżdiedu minħabba żewġ fatturi partikolari: it-tnaqqis fis-saff tal-ożonu u l-istil ta’ ħajja differenti tagħna – dik li mmorru aktar il-baħar u noqogħdu aktar esposti għax-xemx.

    X’inhuma s-sintomi tal-Melanoma?Meta l-Melanoma tifforma fil-ġisem, dak li jkun ma jħoss xejn fiżikament.  Huwa biss meta l-kanċer jidħol il-ġewwa ħafna li jibdew jinħassu xi sintomi minħabba metastesis u f’dawk il-każi l-Melanoma tkun aktar diffiċli biex tiġi kkurata. Għaldaqstant huwa importanti ħafna illi din tiġi rikonoxxuta kemm jista’ jkun malajr.

    Is-sinjal ta’ bidu ta’ Melanoma huwa kulur (lesion) fil-ġilda. Hemm każi fejn dan il-kulur li ġeneralment ikollu forma ta’ għazza jiġi mix-xejn – jiġifieri tifforma speċi ta’ għazza fuq il-ġilda fejn qabel qatt ma kien hemm xejn. Imbagħad hemm bejn 30% – 50% tal-każi fejn wieħed ikollu għazza li tiżviluppa f’Melanoma.

    Kif tagħraf li għazza żviluppat f’Melanoma?

    Aħna nissuġġerixxu li meta xi ħadd jinnota xi waħda jew aktar mill-fatturi li ser insemmi hawn taħt, jikkonsulta ftit mat-tabib tiegħu u dan f’każ ta’ dubju jirreferih ma’ speċjalista tal-ġilda:

    (a) Assimetrija: meta hemm għazza li mhiex simettrika;

    (b) Bordura irregolari;

    (c) Kulur differenti fl-istess għazza;

    (d) Dijametru li ġeneralment jilħaq 6mm (għalkemm mhux bilfors għax hemm anki iżgħar);

    (e) Evoluzzjoni: meta hemm għazza li ilha hemm żmien twil u li ftit ftit tibda tikber, tinbidel, tibdel il-kulur jew joħroġ id-demm minnha.

    Kif tiġi kkurata l-Melanoma?

    Ma nistax nieqaf nisħaq dwar l-importanza illi l-Melanoma tiġi individwata malajr kemm jista’ jkun. Dan għaliex meta dan it-tip ta’ kanċer jintlaħaq fil-bidu, huwa jiġi eliminat mill-ġilda sempliċiment permezz tat-tneħħija ta’ dik il-parti kanċeruża tal-ġilda u ftit aktar ġilda mill-madwar. F’każ li jkun hemm suspett ta’ Melanoma, id-dermatologu jordna biopsy jiġifieri li tittieħed biċċa minn dik l-għazza ħalli jsiru t-testijiet fuqha fil-laboratorji. Jekk jinstab illi dik kienet Melanoma, l-ispeċjalista flimkien mal-individwu, jippjanaw x’l-aħjar li jsir biex din tiġi kkurata. Waqt excision il-kirurgu jinżel l-isfel  kemm hemm bżonn ħalli jneħħi kull traċċa ta’ kanċer li jkun hemm fil-ġilda. Kull ma jifdal ikun biss sinjal żgħir tal-punti. Mill-bqija l-bniedem jgħix ħajja normali. Mill-istudji tagħna sibna illi bejn 90% u 95% tal-każi, wara ħames snin (li huwa l-aktar perjodu akut ta’ kanċer) ikunu għadhom ħajjin.

    Għazza kanċeruża hija biss is-sinjal tal-bidu ta’ Melanoma fil-ġilda. Iżda jekk din tiġi injorata jew jekk wieħed ma jindunax biha, l-kanċer jinżel aktar ‘l isfel fil-ġisem tal-bniedem u jinfirex ma’ partijiet u organi oħra. M’hemmx żmien stipulat kemm idum biex iseħħ dan. Ġeneralment jgħaddu s-snin biex il-Melanoma tinżel daqshekk ‘l isfel fil-ġisem. Iżda kull każ hu storja għalih. Meta l-Melanoma tkun laħqet infirxet, ikollhom jittieħdu miżuri differenti għat-tneħħija tal-kanċer bħal chemo-therapy jew radio-therapy, dejjem skont kemm il-problema tkun laħqet daħlet il-ġewwa.

    Min hu l-aktar f’riskju?

    M’hemmx differenza bejn nisa u rġiel jew x’età għandu l-individwu. Dawk li għandhom l-akbar riskju huma nies li għandhom ġilda bajdanija, dawk li għandhom ħafna għazz u nemex, individwi li jkunu ġarrbu ħruq mix-xemx (sunburn) u dawk li għandhom storja ta’ Melanoma fil-familja. Għalkemm ġeneralment fit-tfal il-Melanoma mhux komuni, il-ġenituri għandhom jieħdu l-prekawzjonijiet kollha biex iżommu t-tfal protetti mir-raġġi tax-xemx. L-aktar postijiet fraġli huma ż-żaqq, id-dahar u s-saqajn għalkemm kullimkien tista’ toħroġ.

    Jeħtieġ li niċċaraw illi l-ħsara fil-ġilda ma ssirx biss meta wieħed jispiċċa b’ġilda ħamra nar, jitilgħulu l-bżieżaq tal-ilma u mbagħad wara ftit jitqaxxar. Dik perikoluża ħafna speċjalment fit-tfal u fl-adoloxxenti speċjalment minħabba d-danni kumulattivi. Imma l-ħsara ssir ukoll bl-espożizzjoni ripettitiva għax-xemx fejn ikun qed jiżdied ir-riskju ta’ kanċer tal-ġilda. Huwa minnu li min għandu ġilda ċara qiegħed aktar f’riskju. Imma dan ma jfissirx li min hu ismar jew li min ikun smar bil-mod bix-xemx, mhiex qed tiġrilu ħsara.

    Fatt li xieraq insemmu huwa illi minn studji li saru fil-qasam tal-Melanoma instab illi r-raġġi tax-xemx għandhom effett kumulattiv fil-bniedem. Dan ifisser illi l-bniedem jiġi qisu bħal karus tar-raġġi – kull darba li ssirlu xi ħsara fil-ġilda (permezz ta’ sunburn jew espożizzjoni mhux protetta), dan iżid fuq il-ħsara li jkun ġarrab fis-snin ta’ qabel. B’hekk il-ħsara fiċ-ċelloli tiżdied maż-żmien u ovvjament, aktar ma l-bniedem jikber, aktar ikun akkumula danni għal saħħtu. Effett kumulattiv joħloq il-pre-dispożizzjoni li ċ-ċelloli tal-ġisem jistgħhu jinbidlu f’dawk kanċerużi.

    X’inhuma l-prekawzjonijiet li jistgħu jittieħdu biex jitnaqqas ir-riskju tal-Melanoma?

    Jekk il-Melanoma tiġi kkawżata permezz tar-raġġi tax-xemx, allura aħna rridu nipproteġu ruħna mill-ħsara tagħhom.

    Nibda billi nsemmi per eżempju illi l-agħar ħin tax-xemx huwa mill-11:00am sal-4:00pm peress li din tkun direttament fuq l-art u allura jkun hemm aktar riskju. Preferibilment wieħed għandu jevita li joħroġ għalxejn f’dawn il-ħinijiet.  Anki f’temp imsaħħab, ir-raġġi UV hemm ikunu. L-umbrelel tax-xemx joffru ftit protezzjoni imma mhux kemm hemm bżonn. Hekk jew hekk nafu sewwa illi kemm ir-ramel u kemm l-ilma jirriflettu ħafna r-raġġi tax-xemx u għalhekk il-ħsara xorta ssir. Parir li nħobbu nagħtu huwa illi meta dellek ikun iqsar minnek, ibża’ minnu! Dak huwa l-ħin li ghandek tevita li toqgħod fix-xemx.

    Illum mhiex aċċettabbli li wieħed jinħaraq bix-xemx għax jeżistu diversi affarijiet li nistgħu nipproteġu ruħna permezz tagħhom. Fostom hemm il-kremi – li m’għandna nsejħulhom qatt sun blocks għax l-ebda prodott minnhom ma jżomm għal kollox il-penetrazzjoni tar-raġġi fil-ġilda tal-bniedem. Il-kremi tax-xemx għandhom jiġu applikati kull sagħtejn/tlieta peress illi wara dal-ħin l-effett tagħhom jibda jintilef speċjalment jekk inkunu nżilna ngħumu (anki jekk il-prodott ikun waterproof). Huwa importanti wkoll illi meta krema jkollha sun factor għoli ma jfissirx li nistgħu noqogħdu aktar fix-xemx. Tfisser biss li dik il-krema tipproteġi ftit aktar imma xorta ma jista’ qatt wieħed jabbuża. Jgħinu ħafna wkoll l-ilbies ta’ kpiepel jew brieret tax-xemx u n-nuċċalijiet li llum hawn għażla vasta u sabiħa tagħhom. Ħwejjeġ ċari u ħfief bħal cotton huma l-aħjar għażla għal daż-żminijiet.

    Iżda l-protezzjoni mir-raġġi m’għandix issir biss meta nkunu qegħdin ħdejn il-baħar. Ir-raġġi jeżistu madwarna l-ħin kollu. U allura ngħidu aħna l-mara tad-dar għandha tevita illi titla’ tonxor fil-ħinijiet li semmejna. L-istess jgħodd għan-nies li jaħdmu fuq barra. Fortunatament f’Malta bosta minn dat-tip ta’ xogħlijiet fuq barra, jieqfu wara s-1:30pm u allura jitnaqqas ħafna mill-periklu.

    L-aħħar nota hija dwar is-sunbeds li aħna ma nirrakkomandawhomx. Is-sunbeds jipproduċu raġġi UV u huma perikolużi kif fil-fatt suppost taqra t-twissija fuq kull sunbed.

    Għal min jixtieq li jkollu tan sabiħ, illum hawn il-‘fake tans’ bi kremi li ma jikkaġunawx ħsara u huma sbieħ u faċli biex tużahom.

    Minn liema grad, l-indiċi tal-UV jiġi perikoluż għas-saħħa?

    Minn 3 – 4 trid tibda tieħu prekawzjoni. Minn 5 – 6 l-qawwa tar-raġġi tkun moderata imma jkun meħtieġ il-protezzjoni tal-kremi tax-xemx. Minn 6 il-fuq ir-raġġi UV huma perikolużi ħafna.

    Dawk l-individwi li jkollhom Melanoma u tiġi kkurata, x’inhi l-probabbilità li jiġu affetwati mill-ġdid?

    Tinsix li min ikollu Melanoma ikollu pre-dispożizzjoni għaliha. Għaldaqstant aħna ngħidu lil dak li jkun biex joqgħod ferm aktar attent u jieħu aktar prekawzjonijiet minn ħaddiehor.

    Huwa importanti ħafna illi anki min qatt ma kellu Melanoma (u wisq aktar min kellu) illi b’mod regolari jiċċekkja l-ġilda tiegħu sabiex jara jekk hemmx xi parti suspettuża. F’postijiet diffiċli biex wieħed jarahom, bħad-dahar, huwa neċessarju illi wieħed jiċċekkja lill-ieħor.

    F’Malta qatt mietu nies kawża tal-Melanoma? Kemm hi mifruxa din il-kundizzjoni f’pajjiżna?

    Meta mqabbla ma’ kanċers oħra tal-ġilda joħroġ illi l-Melanoma hija l-aktar kanċer li jikkaġuna mwiet proprju minħabba s-‘silenzju’ tal-marda u anki kawża tan-negliġenza tan-nies. Għalhekk ser nerġa’ nisħaq illi aktar ma tinqabad malajr aktar aħjar. Sfortunatament, iva, ġieli kellna każi ta’ mwiet f’pajjiżna. Dawn huma uħud mill-istatistiċi li għandna:

    Snin Każi Ġodda f’Malta
    1993 – 2006 406
    1993 – 1999 139
    2000 – 2006 267 (żieda ta’ 92%)

    Età Każi Ġodda (1993- 2006)
    10 sa 29 39
    30 sa 59 198
    60+ 169
    Età Mortalità (1993 – 2008)
    10 sa 29 1
    30 sa 59 28
    60+ 55

    Statistika Mortalità
    1993 – 2008 84 każ
    Irġiel 43
    Nisa 41

    X’inhu l-iskop tal-kampanja kontra l-Melanoma li jagħmel id-Dipartiment Għall-Promozzjoni tas-Saħħa u l-Prevenzjoni tal-Mard?

    Id-Dipartiment jiffoka fuq il-prevenzjoni u li wieħed jinduna kemm jista’ jkun malajr biha. Il-promozzjoni u t-tagħrif tagħna jkun għaddej matul is-sena kollha għax anki fix-xitwa irridu noqogħdu attenti. Il-11 ta’ Mejju ta’ kull sena qegħdha tkun iddedikata għal Melanoma u matulha issir kampanja intensiva fejn noffru anki lin-nies l-opportunità li jmorru fid-Dipartiment tad-dermatoloġija fl-Isptar Boffa sabiex ikunu jistgħu jiċċekkjaw ruħhom. Noħorġu wkoll leaflets, nagħmlu diversi diskussjonijiet u saħansitra nagħmlu l-billboards fit-triqat. Dis-sena ntagħżlet it-tema LIVE LONGER, LOOK YOUNGER u BLOCK THE SUN fejn ippruvajna nolqtu l-etajiet differenti tan-nies. Dil-ġimgħa qassamna xi bookmarks lit-tfal tal-iskola primarja ta’ Ħ’Attard għax nemmnu illi t-tfal kapaċi jwasslu messaġġ qawwi lill-ġenituri tagħhom.

    L-iskop tal-kampanja mhiex li nallarmaw lin-nies imma li ninfurmawhom sabiex huma jkunu konxji minn din il-problema u biex huma jieħdu l-protezzjoni neċessarja.

    Min jixtieq aktar informazzjoni jew xi parir, jista’ jikkuntattjana fuq 23266000 jew jista’ wkoll jidħol fil-websajt www.health.gov.mt

    (Dan l-artiklu ġie ppubblikat fit-Torċa tal-14 ta’ Ġunju 2009)

    2009.06.14 / no responses / Category: Torca - Perspettivi