By Mara Klecker Lindsay Willis grew up hearing her mother’s warnings about skin damage and skin cancers and remembers hearing about the in situ moles that her mom had removed. “She’s always been warning me and my brothers about protecting and checking our skin, making sure there are no moles that are changing,” Lindsay said. “So that’s always been in the back of my mind.” Lindsay Willis Stage 0, In-Situ Melanoma Survivor That’s why, while at a routine dermatology appointment, Lindsay asked the doctor about a mole on her wrist. While sitting in the doctor’s office, she’d compared her mole to ..read more

People with the chronic inflammatory skin condition rosacea shouldn’t skip out on check-ups. According to a new research study from Germany, rosacea is strongly associated with melanoma, especially among fair-skinned people of northern European descent. The results of this study also illustrated an association between rosacea and joint problems, metabolic disease, type 2 diabetes, and visual problems. Previous studies correlated rosacea with autoimmune disorders, coronary artery disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and nonmelanoma skin cancer. Although doctors and scientists do not yet underst ..read more

We often receive inquiries about how our community can support AIM at Melanoma. One of the simplest methods is to dedicate your birthday to the cause by making a donation through Facebook. Using Facebook’s fundraising tool, you can use your birthday to raise money for a non-profit like AIM at Melanoma. It’s simple to do, and incredibly valuable for AIM. You choose a non-profit that you want to support (AIM!) and set a donation goal as well as your fundraiser’s end date. Your friends are notified of your cause on your actual birthday, and you can also invite your friends directly to the fundrai ..read more

By Mandi Murph Treatment may be changing for patients with Stage III melanoma. Recent clinical trial results show improved outcomes when ipilimumab plus nivolumab is given to Stage III patients with melanoma before the melanoma is removed by surgery. Giving drugs before surgery would be a major change to the order of treatment for this patient population. Usually, patients with resectable (meaning it can be removed with surgery) Stage III melanoma begin treatment by receiving surgery to remove lymph nodes that contain melanoma. Following their surgery, many are treated with immunotherapy that ..read more

By Kim Margolin, M.D., FACP, FASCO   The American Society of Clinical Oncology or ASCO is a professional organization that hosts a series of meetings about different types of cancers and other professional development opportunities. They also hold a large annual meeting in June every year at which U.S. and foreign oncologists and other oncology-related medical professionals from around the world gather to hear the latest news in their specialties (such as melanoma) and in cancer generally. More than 40,000 people, including ASCO members, researchers and those who care for people with canc ..read more

June marks National Cancer Survivor Month, a time to honor the remarkable resilience and strength of those who have battled and continue to battle melanoma. In this special digital magazine, we feature three inspiring melanoma survivors. Their stories exemplify the power of hope, community, and perseverance.   If you’re a melanoma survivor, know that you’re not alone. Reach out, share your story, and connect with others who understand your experience. Together, we can continue to support and uplift each other. For more information and resources, consider getting involved with our foundat ..read more

Without intervention today, the number of people affected by melanoma will skyrocket. The World Health Organization warns that new diagnoses of cutaneous melanoma will increase considerably by 2040, if nothing changes. The number of worldwide cases is predicted to increase from 324,635 in 2020 to 510,000 in 2040. Even more concerning is the projection that melanoma deaths will increase by more than half (68%) within that same time. In 2020, 57,043 deaths were estimated from melanoma. Predictions suggest worldwide deaths will reach 96,000 by 2040. However, this future with skyrocketing numbers ..read more

Replimune Announces Positive Topline Primary Analysis Data by Independent Central Review from IGNYTE Clinical Trial of RP1 plus Nivolumab in Anti-PD1 Failed Melanoma Published: Jun 06, 2024 Primary endpoint data shows 12-month overall response rate (ORR) of 33.6% Biologics license application (BLA) submission intended for 2H 2024; first patient expected to be enrolled in IGNYTE-3 confirmatory trial in Q3 2024 WOBURN, Mass., June 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Replimune Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: REPL), a clinical stage biotechnology company pioneering the development of a novel class of oncolytic im ..read more

Here at AIM at Melanoma, we are fortunate to be frequently asked an important question: What are the different ways we can give? Generally, people want to know if there are impactful ways to give in addition to writing a check. The answer is YES! This article is the second in a series in which we will share ways to give that might be a good fit for your circumstances and that can increase your impact on our mission. This month, we’re focusing on a powerful way to make a positive impact: Workplace Giving. If you’re looking for ways to contribute to meaningful causes through your place of work ..read more

Various types of melanoma exist, such as acral, cutaneous, mucosal, and uveal, with additional microscopic subtypes that further divide these categories. Although these types are extremely different, they all share a common umbrella term – melanoma – that makes it sound like they are identical. Vocabulary is actually one of the few commonalities. Although all of these cancers arise within melanocyte cells, each occurs in a different location, has wildly different behavior, and needs treatments specific to the tumor and surrounding tissue. Conjunctival melanoma and uveal melanoma are the two ma ..read more