It is very deadly if not caught early because it spreads very fast into other organs. I have a beloved teacher who died of melanoma recently because it was not caught early enough.

If caught early and treated (by removal, usually – as I understand, chemo is not usually necessary for skin cancer if it hasn’t spread) it is very survivable. My dad had a melanoma when he was in his 40’s and came through just fine. It’s been probably 15 years since that with no recurrences or anything.

My understanding is that melanoma is dangerous because it metastasizes (spreads to other areas/organs of the body) much earlier that many other types of cancer. So by the time many people notice it, it has already spread.

Why would anyone claim falsely?

Yes it is.

If they get it all, it can be cured. Usually they need to take a big chunk of skin, go very deep, to make sure they get all of it.

A relative of close friends of ours died from melanoma found in her ovaries. She was in her early 40’s. A girl I worked with had her first melanoma in her 30’s. Her dad had died from melanoma in his 50’s. Another guy I worked with had melona in his early 40’s. They had to take part of his nose and huge chunk of skin adjacent to it. The guy was gorgeous, it was really quite devastating for him. I know he was planning on doing some cosmetic surgery to fix it. I haven’t seen him in years, I don’t know if he is ok. I hope so.

I do know people who lived many years after having melona, as I said, sometimes the surgeon gets it all and it never reoccurs. My BIL had it in his 30’s and he is in his 50’s now and just fine.

If melanoma is caught in Stage I the 5 year survival rate is 97% if the melanoma progresses to Stage IV the 5 year survival rate drops to 15 – 20 %. If the melanoma is surgically removed while it is in Stage I that is usually the only treatment needed.
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/skincancer-melanoma/detailedguide/melanoma-skin-cancer-key-statistics

Basically, yes.