Francais
info@saveyourskin.ca

Blog

Together #WeCanICan create awareness of #WorldCancerDay on February 4th!

WeCanICan

A truly global event taking place every year on 4 February, World Cancer Day unites the world’s population in the fight against cancer.

Together, #WeCanICan create awareness of #WorldCancerDay on February 4th!

Get to know some of the people in the fight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EGkPVLQvx0

Read more

New Medicines in Canada’s Public Drug Plans

shutterstock_183691856

A recent article from CanadianHealthPolicy.com has summarized Canada’s current Public Drug Plans.

The federal government and each of the provincial and territorial governments operate separate publicly funded prescription drug benefit plans within their jurisdiction. Previous research shows that the quality of drug benefits varies significantly between public drug plans. The quality of public insurance coverage for new drugs is an important policy issue because millions of Canadians are dependent on public drug plans for access to their prescription medications, and there are significant health and economic implications associated with access to pharmaceutical innovation. This annual study compares the quality of benefits under Canada’s public drug programs in terms of the number of new drugs approved for public insurance coverage; the time that patients must wait for publicly insured access to new drugs; and the scope of insured access (Full Benefit v. Special Access / other access).

Mark Rovere and Brett Skinner published a report comparing the quality and comprehensiveness of the different Canadian public drug plans. They looked at three metrics:

  1. % of approved drugs by health Canada that are listed on provincial formularies
  2. Average number of days following health Canada approval to list the new drug
  3. % of drugs listed as Full Benefit vs Special Access

Highlights of findings:

  • Of the 464 drugs approved between 2004-2013, on average, only 24.2% were listed and it took 731 days.
  • Quebec had the highest listing rates (40.1%) and shortest listing times (432 days).
  • New Brunswick had the 3rd highest listing rates (28.4%), but the slowest listing time (986 days). Conversely, the NIHB had the 2nd fastest listing times (622 days), but the worst listing rate (17.0%).

– See more at: http://www.canadianhealthpolicy.com/products/coverage-for-new-medicines-in-canada—s-public-drug-plans–2015-.html#sthash.If9m8g5V.dpuf

Read more

Sunshine, Vacations and UV Radiation. Know the Facts.

yjA2So4sRtmdLFRSkD5t_moulin-fisk

When we think of sunshine and suntans, we usually think first of vacations. And while most of us, while on vacation, remember to apply sunscreen, we don’t always remember to do this at home. Rain, snow or shine, it’s always important to be sun safe. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, even though it is also one of the most preventable.

One in every three cancers diagnosed worldwide is a skin cancer, 80-90% of which are caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The most common sources of UV radiation on the skin are the sun and artificial tanning beds. Over 80,000 cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in Canada each year, more than 5,000 of which are melanomas, the most deadly form of skin cancer.

Canadians born in the 1990s have two to three times higher lifetime risk of getting skin cancer (1 in 6) than those born in the late 1960s (1 in 20)[1]. There are more new cases of skin cancer each year than the number of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers combined!

Skin cancer is caused by overexposure of the skin to UV radiation, with the most common sources of UV radiation on the skin being the sun and artificial tanning beds.

In 2003 Kathleen Barnard, Founder and President of Save Your Skin Foundation Canada, was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma. Growing up as an outdoor athlete and enthusiast, she spent countless hours outdoors in the sun. She was unaware of the hazards of the sun and how to protect herself from harmful UV rays. Kathy is now one of few advanced melanoma survivors in Canada, and has made it her mission, through the work of her Foundation, to make others aware of the dangers of the sun and tanning beds, and to educate and promote better awareness of sun safety.

The Save Your Skin Foundation is a national registered not-for profit organization dedicated to the areas of skin cancer and skin disease with a focus on education and awareness, supporting research and ensuring equal and timely access to treatment for all Canadians.

No tan is a safe tan. Enjoy the outdoors and the sunshine, but do it safely. More information can be found on the Save Your Skin Foundation website.

Quick Links:

Sun Safety for Children

Be Sun Smart Infographic

The Facts – Skin Cancer & Melanoma

[1] Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation http://www.canadianskincancerfoundation.com/about-skin-cancer.html

Read more

Patient Advocacy Sessions from the European Cancer Congress in Vienna

IMG_1462

Last year, Save Your Skin Foundation participated in the Patient Advocacy sessions at the European Cancer Congress in Vienna last September.

We thought our patient members might be interested to know that both the report and the videos are now available on the ECCO website. Videos include those of the patient advocacy track sessions as well as those of the patient perspectives given in the other scientific sessions.

 http://www.ecco-org.eu/PatientsAdvocacy/European-Cancer-Congresses

IMG_1445

Read more

This weekend calls for a mix of sun and clouds…

photo-1447755086558-cb9e3830d677

That’s the forecast for this weekend in Whistler, British Columbia. Many people will be heading to Whistler this weekend to get in some skiing. Conditions on the mountains couldn’t be better and it’s a winter wonderland from Village to Peak at North America’s #1 ski resort.

The sun’s ultraviolet rays, however, are 2.5 times more dangerous in snow than on the beach and skiers should make sure to stay sun safe on the slopes. Snow reflects up to 80 percent of UV radiation, which means that your UV dose is close to double what it would be otherwise. (By comparison, grass, soil, and water reflect less than 10 percent; dry beach sand 15 percent; and sea foam 25 percent, according to this UV fact sheet from the World Health Organization.) On top of that, UV exposure also increases by approximately 10 percent for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain.

When you’re out on the hill, both snow and strong wind can wear away sunscreen and reduce its effectiveness, so you have to take extra precautions. To protect your skin from the cold, heavy winds and winter sun, follow these important sun safety tips:

  • Apply sunscreen liberally and evenly to all exposed skin – most skiers and snowboarders do not use enough. You should apply at least a teaspoon to the face.
  • Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 30 or higher whenever you spend extended time outdoors. Apply 30 minutes before hitting the slopes. Be aware that the sun’s reflection off the snow is strong even on cloudy days (up to 80 percent of the sun’s rays can penetrate clouds).
  • Use a moisturizing sunscreen with ingredients like lanolin or glycerin. Winter conditions can be particularly harsh on the skin.
  • Be sure to cover often-missed spots: the lips, ears, around the eyes, and on the neck, the underside of chin, scalp and hands.
  • Reapply every two hours, and immediately after heavy sweating.
  • Always wear a lip balm with an SPF 15 or higher – lips are very sensitive.
  • Carry a travel-sized sunscreen and lip balm with you on the slopes. Reapply on the chairlift, especially after a long, snow-blown run.
  • Cover your head – it will protect your scalp and help keep you warm.
  • Wear items like ski masks, which will leave very little skin exposed to the wind and sun.
  • Sunglasses or goggles that offer 99 percent or greater UV protection and have wraparound or large frames will protect your eyes, eyelids and the sensitive skin around your eyes, which are common sites for skin cancers and sun-induced aging. The sun’s glare can make you squint, so it’s important to wear sunglasses or goggles to clearly see the terrain. Plus, it will increase your enjoyment and may even improve your performance while skiing!
  • If possible, ski early in the morning and later on in the day, before 10 AM and after 4 PM. This decreases the amount of time spent outdoors in the most intense sunlight and helps you avoid long lines.
  • If you are on the slopes for most of the day, take a few breaks indoors to reapply sunscreen.
  • Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

So, attention all skiers! Have fun on the slopes and play sun safe!

Read more

A Medical Student’s Prospective on the Save Your Skin Foundation

Liz Willsey, MD Candidate UBC Class of 2018, chose the Save Your Skin Foundation for an assignment and we are happy to share an extract of her article with you.

“My interest in melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer led me to choose the Save Your Skin Foundation for this assignment.  I have a passion for improving skin cancer detection and treatment, and my passion has continued to grow after I spent my summer studying the genotypic and phenotypic correlations of melanoma in Queensland, Australia.  I was particularly interested in learning more about the Save Your Skin Foundation, as it is based locally here in Vancouver, and one of the few organizations in Canada offering support for skin cancer patients.  While working on this assignment, I realized that despite how common skin cancer is in Canada, there is in contrast, strikingly low general public awareness and few resources available for patients battling this disease.  When I was talking with Karran Finlay regarding her involvement in the agency, she emphasized that this was an area that sustained and ongoing efforts could really could make a difference; it is an area where so much is not known, yet early detection and intervention could greatly assist in saving lives. This is something that hit close to my heart and something I strongly believe in.  As a child, I have grown up with a love of the ocean and spending time outside surfing, and this outside exposure drew me early on to the field of skin cancer.  I overheard so many stories of people with worse prognoses simply due to failure to recognize and treat the skin cancer early.  This was further reinforced while I was working on skin cancer research this summer; the importance of diagnosing skin cancer early, treatment and removal, before the malignant stages.  I realized how much a difference this could make in a person’s life.  This motivates me to want to work in this field, and it also motivated members of the organization to want to do this type of work.

I believe it is extremely important for medical students, like me, to be engaged with community organizations like the Save Your Skin Foundation during our training.  It allows them to understand what resources are available to patients and how to appropriately direct patients to the right resources.  Furthermore, it emphasized in me, as a future doctor, the importance to work and partner with community organizations to advocate for patient care.  The Save Your Skin Foundation relies on doctors to help act as advocates for improving funding for treatment at the government level.  This was an invaluable part of my training to reinforce what I need to do at the systemic level once I am a doctor to improve patient care.”

Click here to read more.

logo ubc

Read more

Next Webinar December 17: The Drug Evaluation Process – Patient Input Submissions and Responsible Advocacy for New Treatments

SYSF_December17Webinar

This webinar will dive into the process used to evaluate drugs, which concludes with recommendations about whether they should be covered by provincial formularies.   In particular, this webinar will look at how patients can engage in the process. Following the presentation, there will be a live Q&A. The presentation will address the following topics:

  • When and how can patients engage with the drug evaluation process?
  • What are the best practices to promote the patient’s voice?
  • Looking ahead: how can we improve patients’ opportunities to engage?

The webinar will be hosted by Bill Dempster of 3Sixty Public Affairs. As CEO of 3Sixty Public Affairs, Bill Dempster helps health charities, businesses and associations understand health policy and effectively engage with governments.   He applies a deep business, health policy, legal and government experience to find mutually beneficial solutions to complex problems. 

To register

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1418260419678793473

Read more

Canadian Cancer Therapy Approval, Evaluation and Funding Process: What is the Role of Patients?

Canadian Cancer Therapy Approval, Evaluation and Funding Process: What is the Role of Patients?

Tuesday, December 8, 2015 2:00 to 3:00pm EDT

This webinar will provide insight into how cancer drugs are reviewed by Health Canada, through the multi-step decision-making process that determines whether they are covered by public and private formularies. The presenters will host a live question and answer session following the presentation. The presentation will address the following topics:

  • What are the different steps to bring a new cancer drug to patients?
  • Where can patients make a difference?
  • How is the patient role changing?

Gerry Jeffcott is a senior associate at 3Sixty Public Affairs who has almost 25 years of health and pharmaceutical policy experience. He is a recognized expert in the Canadian reimbursement review and approval process for new medications and a sought after commentator on relevant policy questions. 

As CEO of 3Sixty Public Affairs, Bill Dempster helps health charities, businesses and associations understand health policy and effectively engage with governments.   He applies a deep business, health policy, legal and government experience to find mutually beneficial solutions to complex problems.

To register

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/641002455864314625

Read more

Professor Dr. Reinhard Dummer Shares Opinion on Successful Takeaways from the Society of Melanoma Research (SMR) 2015 Congress in San Francisco

Save Your Skin Foundation was in San Francisco last week for the Society of Melanoma Research’s (SMR) 2015 Congress. During the Congress, Save Your Skin Foundation met with leading oncologists from across the globe to discuss data coming out of SMR 2015 and what it means for patient care and treatment today.

During our discussions, Professor Dr. Reinhard Dummer shared his thoughts on the significant shift of focus on melanoma research. He explains that Melanoma has attracted the great brains of science today. We have achieved some improvements to patient care and this is in large part due to research results.

Melanoma research matters and the energy going into the first class work being done by researches will result in a better clinical outcome.

Professor Reinhard Dummer is Professor of the University of Zurich and Vice-Chairman of the Department of Dermatology in the University Hospital of Zürich, Switzerland and is a key thought leader in worldwide cutaneous oncology. Currently he is heading of the Skin Cancer Unit and the Clinical Trial Unit of the Department of Dermatology.

He is Board Certified in allergology, clinical immunology, dermatology and dermatopathology.

Professor Dummer’s principal research interests are molecular biology, immunology and immunotherapy of cutaneous malignancies, including cutaneous lymphomas and melanomas. He has published more than 550 papers with a cumulative impact factor of more than 4700. He has been President of the Melanoma Project Group of the Swiss Institute for Applied Cancer Research since 1999, is board member of the Society for Melanoma Research and past President of the International Society for Cutaneous Lymphomas. He is a founding and board member of the European Association of Dermato-Oncology (EADO), and past President of the European Society for Dermatological Research (ESDR).

Read more

‘Real-World’ Melanoma Treatment Patterns Similar to Trials – New Study

shutterstock_293670773

In recent years we have seen a revolution in the treatment of metastatic melanoma, with the introduction of both immunotherapy and targeted agents, but to date, only a limited number of studies have examined how these drugs are used in clinical practice.

The SYSF team was recently in San Francisco for the Society for Melanoma Research (SMR) 2015 Congress and learned that a new study has looked at the current “real-world treatment patterns of therapies” in patients with metastatic melanoma in the United States. The data was presented during the poster session at the Society for Melanoma Research 2015 Congress in San Francisco.

More information on the study can be found on Medscape.com

Read more