Spotlight shifts towards Brandon Blackstock's demise at 48, underscoring melanoma as a significant health concern.
Brandon Blackstock, the former husband of popular singer Kelly Clarkson, passed away at the age of 48 due to melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer. The Butte-Silver Bow County coroner in Montana, Dan Hollis, confirmed Brandon's cause of death.
Brandon died at his home in Butte, Montana, on Aug. 7. The Blackstock family had previously announced that Brandon had been battling cancer for more than three years.
Melanoma is one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer, and it can be particularly dangerous when left untreated. The National Cancer Institute offers several treatment options for melanoma, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, surgery, or targeted therapy.
Anyone can develop melanoma, but certain individuals may be at a higher risk. These include those with a family history or personal history of skin cancer, lighter skin, blue or green eyes, blond or red hair, and a history of sunburns or tanning.
Doctors may examine any moles and look for potential signs of melanoma by using a magnifying dermatoscope or a visual aid device. Common symptoms include asymmetry, irregular or fuzzy borders, uneven color, and diameter larger than 6 mm; evolving size or shape; redness or inflammation; oozing or crusting; itchiness; and changes in sensation. Melanoma can also present as scaly patches, new rough or flaky skin bumps, dark streaks or discoloration under nails, unexplained nail thickening or brittleness, and bleeding under nails without injury.
Prevention methods include avoiding excessive sun exposure, especially during peak hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), using broad-spectrum sunscreen with high SPF regularly and reapplying every two hours, wearing protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats, and UV-blocking sunglasses, avoiding tanning beds, regular self-examination of skin and nails for new or changing spots or lesions, seeking prompt medical evaluation for suspicious skin changes, unusual moles, or persistent skin texture alterations, and annual or periodic skin checks by a dermatologist if at higher risk.
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends self-screening for melanoma using the "ABCDE" method: Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, Evolving. It is also important to note that melanoma is often caused by overexposure to ultraviolet or UV rays from the sun, sun lamps, or tanning beds.
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S., and about 8,000 people die from melanoma annually. Early detection and prevention are crucial since melanoma can spread quickly and become more dangerous if missed or untreated.
The CDC does not currently provide standard guidance for skin checks, but the AAD stresses the importance of regular self-examinations and professional check-ups for those at a higher risk.
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- Brandon Blackstock's death serves as a grim reminder of the danger posed by skin cancer, particularly the deadly form, melanoma, which he succumbed to.
- In addition to skin cancer, it's essential to prioritize mental health and overall health-and-wellness, as they are crucial components of one's well-being.
- Regular self-examinations and skin checks, coupled with preventive measures like sun protection, can help detect melanoma at an early stage, reducing the risks associated with medical-conditions like cancer.
