melanoma | Patient Commando

It’s this time each year that I notice an increased excitement, a buzz, in most of the people I work with. Some would account this behaviour to the onset of Spring, but I say it’s for a different season altogether. The Webby Award season.

Each year the Webby Awards honour the best of the web. Now in their 16th year, their ever expanding categories include interactive, mobile and apps. If TED talks are the new innovative “ideas worth spreading” then the Webbys are the ideas that have worked. The creative eyes of the world tune into this award ceremony each year and just about every agency wants their work showcased here.

Our congratulations then to the individuals, agencies and foundations that saw TWO (2) patient stories listed on this year’s nominee ballot.

Under the online film & video category of Public Service and Activism both Dear 16-year-old Me by the David Cornfield Melanoma Fund and Living With Alzheimer’s by Relate Digital for the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, (featured below respectively) are listed.

While next year’s ballot will most likely include KONY 2012 (lessons to learn when your campaign goes viral), this year, it’s all about the patient. We’re asking you, our community to help make these videos even [...] continue the story

Earlier this month KevinMD.com posted the following article by Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a dermatologist at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City.

The best defense against skin cancer is prevention. Skin cancer is the most common kind of cancer in the United States, affecting more than 2 million Americans every year. It is estimated that one in five Americans will develop a skin cancer in their lifetime.

There are three main types of skin cancer. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer, which can be fatal if not treated early. While melanoma accounts for a very small percentage of skin cancers, it is responsible for the majority of skin cancer related deaths. Survival of patients with melanoma is directly correlated to the size of the cancer. If the spot is detected early, before it has spread from the skin, more than 90% of patients will be cured. This drops to approximately 15% once the cancer has spread. The number of new cases of melanoma is rising faster than most of the other internal types of cancer, so public education is of the utmost importance.

The other two common skin cancers are collectively known a non-melanoma skin cancer. The most common skin cancer in [...] continue the story

Two “Patients” Could Use Your Vote

Patient Commando responds to Dr. Zeichner’s post on KevinMD.com