Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer.  Melanoma is not the most common skin cancer; however, it causes the most deaths.  According to the American Cancer Society, in 2007 there will be 8,110 fatalities, 5220 in men and 2800 in women in the United States due to melanoma.  The number of new cases is estimated at 59,940.

But there is good news.  People are more aware of the dangers of the sun than ever before and are more proactive in seeking help earlier.  Like other types of skin cancer, basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, melanoma is almost curable in its early stages. 

The SCARF Foundation was formed with several goals and ideas.  Primarily SCARF promises to proactively communicate to the younger audience on ways to prevent melanoma from being in their lives.  In addition, SCARF will target the adult audience on early detection.  SCARF will also communicate with patients who have melanoma and their treatment options.

Melanoma develops in melanocytes, cells that produce the dark protective pigment called melanin. Melanin produces sun-tanned skin, which acts as partial protection against the sun. But when melanocytes grow unregulated or controllably, they can become melanomas, which have the potential to spread, and therefore must be treated.

Melanoma may be associated with severe sunburns in childhood or adolescence. This is especially true among light-skinned people, although darker-skinned people can also develop it. Heredity may play a role. Atypical moles prevalent in families can serve as markers, and help identify those at higher risk for developing melanoma in a mole or other areas of the skin. "A melanoma can often be as simple as a mole that is asymmetric, has multiple or changing colors, and irregular border or is growing," says Jerome Potozkin, M.D., chair of dermatology at John Muir Medical Center - Walnut Creek Campus. "That is why you need to be aware of your body and have any unusual moles checked." In Sherri's case, her first detection was a irregular mole the size of a pencil eraser on the back of her leg.

According to the American Cancer Society, spots on the skin that change color should be seen by a board certified dermatologist right away. Any unusual sore, lump, blemish, marking, or change in the way an area of the skin looks or feels may be a sign of skin cancer. "The earlier melanoma is detected, the better the survival rate," adds Dr. Potozkin.