Melanoma

High school (ages 12+)
Human Body

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/melanoma

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the cellular origin?Malignant transformation of melanocytes in the epidermis
2. What is the primary carcinogen?Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sun exposure and tanning beds
3. Why does sun exposure cause melanoma?When the sun’s UV rays hit the skin, they can damage the DNA inside cells, which can lead to changes that make the cells grow out of control.
4. How can I check if a mole might be melanoma?You can look for a mole that is uneven, has wavy borders, a mix of colors, is larger than about a pea, or changes over time. These clues are called the ABCDE rules.

Melanoma: A highly aggressive form of skin cancer originating from melanocytes, with a significant potential for metastasis.
Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation: Electromagnetic radiation from the sun that causes DNA damage in skin cells, a primary driver of melanoma.
Dermoscopy: A non-invasive diagnostic technique that uses magnification and illumination to examine skin lesions.
Targeted Therapy: Cancer treatments that focus on specific molecular targets within cancer cells to inhibit their growth.