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17 BC Municipalities Proclaim May Melanoma Awareness Month

As May marks both Melanoma Awareness Month and the beginning of summer weather, it is imperative that communities across Canada be reminded of the importance of sun safety at this time of year. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many Canadians to stay home, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t spending time outside. In fact, many have more time than usual to enjoy the outdoors, making sun safety education as relevant as ever.

“COVID-19 has highlighted everyone’s willingness to take drastic measures to preserve our health,” says Kathy Barnard, stage 4 melanoma survivor and Founder of Save Your Skin Foundation (SYSF). “Increased preventative efforts and methods of early detection, particularly in the form of public education, public policy and built environments are also needed to reduce skin cancer rates.”

Skin Cancer in Canada is still on the rise

COVID-19 isn’t the only disease whose rates can be drastically reduced through education and preventative measures. Skin cancer rates in Canada continue to rise, including melanoma, and non-melanoma skin cancers, despite being 90% preventable.

Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. There are more new cases of skin cancer each year than the number of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers COMBINED[1]. While most forms of non-melanoma skin cancer can be surgically removed, melanoma is an aggressive form of cancer. The five-year relative survival rate of melanoma that has metastasized is just 18%.[2]

Despite these figures, many people seek sun without taking the recommended precautionary measures, or believe that only severe burns contribute to one’s risk of skin cancer. In fact, any darkening of the skin, including a tan, is indicative of UV damage.

 

Municipal Proclamations

To increase the reach of SYSF’s awareness campaign this year, a new proclamation initiative invited BC municipalities to take a stance against skin cancer and educate their communities on sun safety through mayoral proclamations.  SYSF is pleased to announce that seventeen BC municipalities, listed below, have accepted SYSF’s invitation to proclaim the month of May 2020 ‘Melanoma Awareness Month’.  Click here to read our full press release.

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City of Vancouver

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City of Kelowna

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City of Victoria

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Town of Comox

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City of Burnaby 

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District of Saanich

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City of Richmond

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District of Central Saanich

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City of New Westminster

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City of Prince George

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City of Surrey

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City of Williams Lake

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City of Whistler

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District of Mission

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City of Nanaimo

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City of Langford

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City of Campbell River 

 

Mayor of New Westminster, Jonathan Coté, was first to commit to proclaiming May 2020 as Melanoma Awareness Month, and decided to challenge other BC municipalities to follow his example. “Skin cancer is largely preventable, and yet there are more cases now than ever,” said Coté.  “This is why as Mayor of New Westminster, I’m happy to support this important initiative and challenge all BC municipalities to do the same.”

“This is an important initiative, especially for hot, sunny communities like ours,” said Mayor of Kelowna, Colin Basran. “Skin cancer is a serious public health concern, and incidences of the disease are only increasing.”

 

During Melanoma Awareness Month, we invite you to take action by publicly announcing your support of the fight against melanoma.

 

Throughout the month of May, SYSF will be engaged in several initiatives to bring awareness to melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancers, and ocular melanoma. The month will be starting out with a bang thanks to a new drawing contest aimed at youth. The contest’s theme “This is what sun safety looks like”, will encourage participants to submit drawings depicting actions or environments which help prevent skin cancer. The winning entry will be determined through open voting once the May 15th deadline for submission has passed, with a $100 gift card going to the artist with the most votes.

 

Download our custom banner photo for your Facebook cover photo below, or upload a selfie below to participate in our #WeWillDefeatMelanoma campaign! We will apply our campaign frame to your selfie and post it on our social media channels.

 

 

 

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Melanoma COVID-19 Information Hub for Canadians

New COVID-19 Information Hub

Many cancer patients across Canada have experienced changes, delays and cancellations to their regular appointments and treatments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In order to provide Canadians living with melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers with the most up-to-date information and resources related to COVID-19, we have created the COVID-19 Information Hub.

This Hub is designed with resources specifically for melanoma and skin cancer patients, caregivers and their families, as well as general  information, and province-specific resources. The Hub will be continually updated as new information becomes available.

Check out the COVID-19 Information Hub here.

We want to thank all of our patients, caregivers and families for letting us know how the situation with COVID-19 has been affecting their care, and we encourage them to continue doing so.

As the situation progresses, we want you to know that we are connecting with our community of physicians to get as much information as we can. We will continue to update you on any new information as it develops.

We also moderate a Facebook group called Melanoma Connect, where melanoma patients can exchange important information.

If you are a patient with melanoma or non-melanoma skin cancer, please do not hesitate to reach out to us for support at info@saveyourskin.ca.

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world cancer day

World Cancer Day 2020

On February 4th, celebrate the 20th Annual World Cancer Day with us!

This international day focuses on raising awareness of cancer and encouraging its prevention, detection, and treatment.

Each year, hundreds of activities and events take place around the world, gathering communities, organisations and individuals in schools, businesses, hospitals, marketplaces, parks, community halls, places of worship – in the streets and online – acting as a powerful reminder that we all have a role to play in reducing the global impact of cancer. To find an activity in your area, consult the Map of Impact.

This year’s World Cancer Day’s theme,‘I Am and I Will’, is all about personal commitments to act. World Cancer Day believes that through positive actions, we can reach the target of reducing the number of premature deaths from cancer and noncommunicable diseases by one third by 2030.

The World Cancer Day website is jam-packed with useful resources, including a quiz you can take to find out what kind of health leader you are, suggestions of actions you could take based on the time you’re willing to invest, a custom poster making tool, several toolkits to help you spread the word, and much more.

Wold Cancer Day invites you to share your story and to read the story of others around the world. Whether you’re a patient, a survivor, a caregiver, a family member, a healthcare professional, or simply someone who cares, World Cancer Day is an opportunity to raise your voice and to take action to end cancer.

world cancer day

For more information, visit: www.worldcancerday.org.

To learn more about Save Your Skin Foundation initiatives to bring awareness and encourage the prevention, detection, and treatment of skin cancer and melanoma specifically, visit What We’re Working On.

 

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SYSF Survey! Melanoma Treatments for Adjuvant Patients

Save Your Skin has the opportunity to submit patient feedback to the pCODR process for the two treatments coming to the Adjuvant setting for Melanoma patients in Canada.  To learn more about the drug approval process and our involvement as a patient representation group, please visit our page: “Let’s Chat: Patient Submissions and Discussion”

We believe the ability of stage I, II, and II melanoma patients to receive innovative treatments is key to survival, and to the reduction of progression to stage IV disease.

To inform our upcoming submission, we have created a short survey and request that any and all patients touched by melanoma complete the survey to have their voices heard.  This survey is open globally, to all stage melanoma patients at any point in their journey; but we request that IF you are a metastatic patient taking the survey, but were diagnosed at stage 1, 2 or 3 could you please take some time to remember back to those days and fill in what you can in the survey pertaining to those times.  Were you offered a treatment, were you advised to “wait and watch” and what were those times like for you and your family.

This anonymous survey is now closed.  We thank all who shared their time and experience in responding to the survey.  Stay tuned for news of our completed submission to pCODR and INESSS.

If you have any questions or feedback about this topic or the survey itself, please email info@saveyourskin.ca

Thank you! 

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Best of ASCO: Montréal!

Updated 3-August-2018: Click HERE to find our full report from ASCO 2018!

 

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While we’re finishing up our report on the ASCO Annual Meeting 2018 in Chicago, we’d like to share with you some resources about trials that were discussed at an ASCO satellite meeting: Best of ASCO 2018 Montréal, which took place in Montréal, QC on June 19th, 2018. From 7:50-8:20 pm, Dr. Wilson Miller (McGill) gave a talk entitled “Best of Melanoma,” which highlighted some of the notable melanoma studies discussed at the ASCO annual meeting.

For those interested in more ASCO recaps, Oncology Education has posted video resources, including Dr. Jeffrey Weber (NYU) discussing Checkmate 238, Dr. Max Madu (Netherlands Cancer Institute) on the 8th AJCC melanoma staging system, and a roundtable discussion of ASCO highlights with Dr. Marcus Butler (Princess Margaret Cancer Centre), Dr. John Walker (Alberta Cancer Centre), and Dr. Jason Luke (University of Chicago). These videos are available here, though you will need to register for the Oncology Education website to view them.

Below is a list of some of the trials Dr. Miller presented, with links to the ASCO abstracts for further reading:

 

Abstract number 9501: “Final analysis of DeCOG-SLT trial: Survival outcomes of complete lymph node dissection in melanoma patients with positive sentinel node.”

Presented at ASCO Annual Meeting, Chicago, in the Melanoma/Skin Cancers Oral Abstract Session (Monday, June 4, 8:00-11:00 AM).

Authors: Ulrike M. Leiter et al.

Retrieved from: http://abstracts.asco.org/214/AbstView_214_216115.html

The DeCOG-SLT trial assessed whether complete lymph node dissection can result in increased survival compared with observation in patients with positive sentinel node biopsy in a randomized phase III trial. The update presented at ASCO 2018 comes three years after the inclusion of the last patient. After the median 72-month follow-up time, there seemed to be no survival benefit in patients with positive sentinel node biopsy with complete lymph node dissection, compared to observation. More information about the methods and results of the study can be found at the link above.

 

Abstract number 9503: “4-year Survival and Outcomes After Cessation of Pembrolizumab (pembro) after 2-years in Patients (pts) with Ipilimumab (ipi)-naive Advanced Melanoma in KEYNOTE-006 [NCT01866319]”

Presented at ASCO Annual Meeting, Chicago, in the Melanoma/Skin Cancers Oral Abstract Session (Monday, June 4, 8:00-11:00 AM).

Authors: Georgina V. Long et al.

Retrieved from: http://abstracts.asco.org/214/AbstView_214_222303.html.

The KEYNOTE-006, or NTO1866319, sought to establish the efficacy of pembrolizumab over ipilimumab in advanced melanoma. The data includes four year outcomes, long term data for patients who have completed two years of pembro, and data for second course. The results suggest that pembrolizumab can provide durable anti-tumour activity in treatment-naive or previously treated patients. 86% of the patients who had completed two years of pembro were progression free at 20 months. The data suggests that pembro is safe, and can be used as a second-course treatment to provide additional anti-tumour activity. For more information, see the link above.

 

Abstract number 9594: “Assessing the Value of Nivolumab (NIVO) versus Placebo (PBO) and Ipilimumab (IPI) as Adjuvant Therapy for Resected Melanoma [EORTC 18071]”

Presented at ASCO Annual Meeting, Chicago, in the Melanoma/Skin Cancers Oral Abstract Session (Monday, June 4, 8:00-11:00 AM).

Authors: Morganna Louise Freeman et al.

Retrieved from: http://abstracts.asco.org/214/AbstView_214_220221.html.

This study assessed the cost of cancer therapies in the context of clinical benefits. Data from CheckMate 238 and EORTC 18071 (nivolumab) was compared to placebo and ipilimumab in the adjuvant setting for patients with resected melanoma was used to consider the cost for each recurrence-free life month (RFLM) and associated medical costs. They found that nivo has a lower medical cost per RFLM than both placebo and ipi in patients with resected IIIB and IIIC cutaneous melanoma, and has superior drug costs per RFLM relative to placebo and ipi over eighteen months. Data suggests that follow-up will continue to determine the cost-effectiveness of adjuvant NIVO. For methods, results, and outcome measures, see the link above.

 

Abstract number 9502: “Adjuvant Therapy with Nivolumab (NIVO) versus Ipilimumab (IPI) After Complete Resection of Stage III/IV Melanoma: Updated Results from a Phase III Trial (CheckMate 238)”

Presented at ASCO Annual Meeting, Chicago, in the Melanoma/Skin Cancers Oral Abstract Session (Monday, June 4, 8:00-11:00 AM).

Authors: Jeffrey S. Weber et al.

Retrieved from: http://abstracts.asco.org/214/AbstView_214_214567.html.

With a minimum follow-up of 18 months, the initial report data from the CheckMate 238 trial demonstrated that nivolumab had longer recurrence-free survival over ipilimumab in patients with resected stage III or IV melanoma. At ASCO, phase III data with an additional six months of follow-up was reported. With this extended follow-up, nivo continued to demonstrated a sustained benefit versus ipi for patients with resected stage III/IV melanoma at a high risk of recurrence, PD-L1 expression, or BRAF mutation. More information can be retrieved at the link above.

 

Abstract number 9514: “Phase II Trial of Pembrolizumab (pembro) plus 1 mg/kg Ipilimumab (ipi) Immediately Following Progression on Anti-PD-1 Ab in Melanoma (mel)”

Presented at the ASCO Annual Meeting 2018, Chicago, in the Melanoma/Skin Cancer Poster Session (Monday, June 4, 1:15-4:45 PM).

Authors: Daniel Olsen et al.

Retrieved from: http://abstracts.asco.org/214/AbstView_214_215997.html.

This study sought to examine the role of the immunotherapy anti-PD-1 + CTLA-4 combination after the first line anti-PD-1. They are reporting the first potential data examining pembrolizumab + low dose ipilimumab following progression on anti-PD-1. The results suggest that low dose ipi + pembro is tolerable and has anti-tumour activity in melanoma patients who have progressed on an anti-PD-1 immediately prior. For more information on this abstract and ongoing trial, see the link above.

 

Abstract number 9542: “BRAF/MEK Inhibition in Melanoma Patients with Rare BRAF Mutations”

Presented at the ASCO Annual Meeting 2018, Chicago, in the Melanoma/Skin Cancer Poster Session (Monday, June 4, 1:15-4:45 PM).

Authors: Jessica Cecile Hassel et al.

Retrieved from: http://abstracts.asco.org/214/AbstView_214_226845.html.

This study uncovered efficacy data for BRAF/MEK inhibition, which is standard care for patients with BRAF V600E/K mutated melanoma. The results suggest that patients with tate BRAF mutations often respond to targeted therapy. Less likely to respond to BRAFi monotherapy are patients with non-V600 mutations, but MEKi as monotherapy or combined with BRAFi seems more promising for these patients. For more information, including a data breakdown, see the link above.

 

We hope this information was interesting and helpful– stay tuned to our social media channels for study news, and our upcoming ASCO Annual Meeting 2018 report!

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American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting 2018!

Once again, Save Your Skin attended the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting, which took place from June 1-5 at McCormick Place in Chicago. The meeting brought together physicians and oncologists, pharmaceuticals, and patient advocates from all cancer types. ASCO, as an organization and at the conference, creates a space for advocacy networking and education, including spaces for advocates to meet, presentations, and a panel track devoted to patient and survivor care. You can read more about ASCO’s interest in patient education here, and visit cancer.net for ASCO’s resources for patient education. These patient and survivor care panels, alongside the melanoma and developmental therapeutics offerings, kept us busy throughout the conference.

While we are working on a more extensive ASCO report, we’d like to share some of the highlights from our social media feed and from the ASCO daily news. Stay tuned for more updates, and more detailed descriptions of the panels we attended.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjh9PdlnmvL/?taken-by=saveyourskinfdn

 

 

 

 

 

More highlights to be posted over social media and report to come soon! Stay tuned!

 

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Melanoma Survivorship

“I have mixed emotions on a regular basis. On one hand, I’m so happy and grateful because I found a treatment that is working, but on the other hand I have to live with the fear and anxiety for the rest of my life. It’s always in the back of my mind.”— Danika

While most people understand that being diagnosed with and receiving treatments for cancer is a terrifying ordeal, even if they have not experienced it themselves, many people tend to think that these struggles fade as patients finish their treatments and move into remission. This is not the case; cancer survivors and long-term treatment patients, especially those that have battled melanoma, experience unique challenges. I make this distinction between those who have fought melanoma and those who have fought other cancers because they are a relatively new population: over the past fifteen years, survival melanoma rates have risen considerably due to the advent of biological and immune system repression therapies, or immunotherapies. Whichever medication sees a patient through their treatment process, the end of their battle with cancer does not coincide with the end of their treatment. Depending on their comfort level and the kind of cancer diagnosis, patients undergo check-in tests once every six months, or yearly, for the rest of their lives. Their cancer, and the potential of its return, is a constant shadow.

“I remember not being able to physically climb stairs, but today, after treatment, things are getting better and easier to navigate. I can’t always see what is around the corner, down below or what will be there when I reach the top, but I still take the steps to get there. One step at a time, one day at a time. I feel like every day since my diagnosis four years ago, I still consciously, every day, make the decision to take ‘the steps to get there.’”—Natalie

While life ostensibly begins to return to normal once treatments are finished, this is simply not the case. Reconciling returning to work, if this is even possible, and resuming ‘normal’ relationships with friends and family is difficult when patients have a stretch of time in their memory that is indescribable to those who have not experienced something similar. The anxiety surrounding the return to regularity is exacerbated by these intermittent appointments, which interrupt the progress of rebuilding a ‘normal’ life. As a diagnosis of cancer increases the likelihood that it will return, the fear of recurrence is present in the anticipation of every appointment, and everything else. Life is forever changed.

“Sometimes no matter how tough the journey, there were beautiful days. No cars on the road, and a clear sky. This is how I felt later on in my journey. I started seeing that there is hope.”—Mike

While a cancer diagnosis is never desirable, some good may come out of these experiences. On May 10th, in the midst of Melanoma Awareness Month, Save Your Skin hosted the Giving Hope Gala & Auction. While the evening was a wonderful success, the one of the highlights was Mike, quoted above, colluding with Natalie, also above, to surprise Kathleen Barnard, Founder of Save Your Skin, at the event. The three are close friends, two are colleagues, and all three are melanoma survivors. They met through their diagnoses. They support each other, and create a space where they can talk about their experiences with others who understand. Further, they act as a voice of hope for current melanoma patients. Through our I’m Living Proof initiative, and other programs like it, melanoma survivors are given the opportunity to connect with patients in any stage of their melanoma journey. They are able to mutually support, advise, and give hope to each other. While melanoma survivors may never return to their life exactly as it was before, part of their new lives, hopefully, can be the mutual support of each other and support of patients currently battling melanoma. This Melanoma Awareness Month, we would like to remind you that the melanoma journey doesn’t end for survivors, and that their life after treatment is often vastly different than it was before. They are a valuable population in the melanoma community, and one that is worthy of our continued support.

 

Mike, Kathleen, and Natalie; Save Your Skin Giving Hope Gala & Auction, 10 May 2018.

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Canada Has A Skin Cancer Problem

This week marks the beginning of our support of the Euro Melanoma campaign: The World Has A Skin Cancer Problem.

While meeting with the Global Coalition for Melanoma Patient Advocacy last year in Australia in conjunction with the World Congress on Melanoma, we learned that the group in Europe (Euro Melanoma) who created this eye-catching campaign were inviting members of the Global Coalition to participate from their home countries.

This campaign will be a platform to explore and highlight the human and financial cost of skin cancer from a macro perspective – around the globe.  Through this conversation they will ask some important questions, about true incidence and mortality rates for all skin cancers, patient care pathways, and what is being done to address primary, secondary and tertiary prevention.  This campaign will highlight the scale of the skin cancer problem and position it as a national epidemic – together, we will awaken ‘the sleeping giant.’

Save Your Skin Foundation is proud to support and share this campaign to increase awareness of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.  We thank Euro Melanoma for their hard work and collaboration, and we appreciate the sponsors and partners of the project.  Watch our social media channels for more on this initiative, and as always, feel free to contact us if you would like more information! info@saveyourskin.ca

About the Global Coalition for Melanoma Patient Advocacy: Click here to go to their introductory web page.  Save Your Skin is proud to be working with US-based Melanoma Research Foundation and the many other groups in the Coalition.  More on this is developing as we work together from our locations around the world to improve the lives of melanoma patients and their families.  Stay tuned!

 

 

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Join Us at our Giving Hope Gala & Auction!

Save Your Skin Foundation is hosting the 2018 Giving Hope Gala and Auction to bring awareness to Melanoma Month, raise funds to support the work of the foundation and the patients we help, and to unify collaborative efforts of involved stakeholders nationwide.
Thursday, May 10, 2018 5-10pm | Cathedral Centre, 65 Church St. Downtown Toronto
Enjoy a casual evening of buffet-style tapas and served hors d’oeuvres, while sipping on cocktails and nibbling decadent desserts – all while supporting an important cause. The fun will include music and dancing, press corner, informative placards, printed takeaways, a goodie bag, and the debut of our new 2018 patient fundraising video.

Click here to buy your tickets!

 If you’d like to support this event but not pay for the ticket, why not do some fund-raising for the cause? We have alternative ticket options to suit any style of support. Just email natalie@saveyourskin.ca
Despite being 90% preventable, over 80,000 cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in Canada each year. Of these, more than 5,000 are melanoma, the mostly deadly form of skin cancer. With incidences of this disease on the rise, awareness, education, and patient support are more crucial than ever.
This one-evening event in Toronto will provide up-to-the-minute information on melanoma statistics in Canada, a recap of sun safety and skin cancer prevention methods and initiatives with Kathy Barnard, the Save Your Skin team, and local stakeholders including physicians, patients, supporters and partners.
FAQs

Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event?

No – everyone is welcome! Kid-friendly

Dress code?

Business casual – and bring your dancing shoes!

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

Please email natalie@saveyourskin.ca or call 519-270-0834 / 800-460-5832

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

No, we’ll have our list handy to make it easier for you!

Can I update my registration information?

Yes, feel free to be in touch anytime.

Is it ok if the name on my ticket or registration doesn’t match the person who attends?

Yes

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Giving Hope Gala & Auction, May 10th, 2018, Toronto

You can support the work of the foundation and help provide emotional and financial support to Canadian melanoma patients in need by attending our Giving Hope Gala & Auction.

 

Enjoy buffet-style tapas and served hor d’oeuvres, while sipping on cocktails and nibbling decadent desserts – all while supporting an important cause. The fun will include an interactive photo booth, music, press corner, informative placards, printed takeaways, a goodie bag, and the debut of our new 2018 patient fundraising video.

This one-evening event in Toronto will provide up-to-the-minute information on melanoma statistics in Canada, a recap of sun safety and skin cancer prevention methods and initiatives with our founder Kathy Barnard, the Save Your Skin team, and local stakeholders including physicians, patients, supporters and partners.

 

 

This year, over 1,200 Canadians will lose their lives to melanoma skin cancer.  

With incidences of this disease on the rise, awareness, education, and patient support are more crucial than ever.

Please help us make a difference.

 

 

For 2018 Giving Hope Gala & Auction sponsorship inquiries, tickets or questions, please contact Natalie at natalie@saveyourskin.ca or call 1-800-460-5832

 

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