Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. It occurs when there is damage to the DNA that controls cell growth and it is most often caused by ultraviolet radiation from sunshine or tanning salons. While melanoma is the 19th most common cancer worldwide, its rates are higher in countries with sizeable fair-skinned populations, including Israel, where it is among the 10 most common cancers. The damage triggers mutations which cause the skin cells to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumors. If diagnosed and treated early, melanoma is almost always curable, but if not, the cancer can advance and spread to other parts of the body, where it becomes hard to treat and can be fatal. Here to speak with us today about melanoma is Dr. Michal Lotem, MD. She is the Head of the Center for Melanoma and Cancer Immunotherapy at the Sharett Institute of Oncology at Hadassah Medical Organization in Jerusalem, Israel.

We'd love to know your thoughts, questions, and stories! Send us an email anytime at marketing@hadassah.org.