Melanoma & Skin Cancer News Round Up: 13/06/2014

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• Sunscreen alone shouldn’t be relied on alone to prevent malignant melanoma.

A new UK study published in ‘Nature’ Journal revealed more about how UV light induces cancer in skin cells. The research which was conducted by University of Manchester Scientists investigates the effects of UV light on the skin of mice at risk of melanoma.

This allowed them to examine the effects of sunscreen in blocking the disease and highlighting the fact that sunscreen alone shouldn’t be relied on to prevent skin cancer.

Source: BBC

• Regression of Melanoma Not Linked to Sentinel Node Positivity

The presence of regression in melanomas with a Breslow thickness greater than 0.75 mm does not appear to be linked to a higher likelihood of sentinel node involvement, according to the results of a retrospective study published in JAMA Dermatology.

Source: Cancer Network

• Acral melanoma tumors may require more aggressive surgical treatment

Acral melanoma was found to have higher recurrence and lower survival rates than other types of melanoma and may require more aggressive surgical intervention, according to researchers.

Source: Healio

• Ipilimumab in advanced melanoma: Added benefit for non-pretreated patients not proven

In early 2014, the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) assessed the added benefit of ipilimumab in non-pretreated patients with advanced melanoma. The drug manufacturer claimed a noticeable increase in survival time and thus an added benefit versus dacarbazine, the appropriate comparator therapy specified by the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA). However, the indirect comparison conducted by the company was too uncertain, and the postulated effect was biased in favour of ipilimumab. Hence an added benefit was not proven.

Source: Medical Xpress

• 3D melanoma model shows how tumour cells spread

Growth states of cancer cells can now be visualised in real time, thanks to a new 3D model of a melanoma tumour developed by researchers at the University of Queensland Diamantina Institute.

Source: The Conversation

• Skin cancer drug that can extend patient's life is recommended for use on NHS

New final draft guidance from the NHS watchdog the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has recommended ipilimumab should be available as a first treatment for patients with advanced and inoperable melanoma.

Source: Telegraph

• Beauty Students Champions Skin Cancer Awareness

BEAUTY students at a city campus have been helping their fellow students and staff learn to look after their skin. The students, aged between 16 and 20, ran a skin cancer awareness event at City College Plymouth’s Kings Road campus on June 4.

Source: Plymouth Herald

•     Skin cancer survivor: People 'underestimate the sun'

Most people "underestimate the sun" and the irrevocable damage it can do to skin, a 21-year-old skin cancer survivor warned Good Morning Britain.

Source: ITV

• Underage sunbed use - we see the damage

Megan Worrall from Liverpool started using sunbeds when she was 13 and developed skin cancer aged 19. She is currently in remission, and wants to warn other youngsters of the risk. She is joined by our resident GP, Dr Chris Steele who has also suffered from skin cancer. (VIDEO)

Source: This Morning