Every hour of every day, someone in the
United States
dies of melanoma, one of the fastest-growing cancers in the world. Since 1975, the incidence rate for melanoma has more than doubled, with more new cases of melanoma being reported across all age, race, sex and economic levels than HIV/AIDS. The good news is that if melanoma is found early, there is almost a 100 percent chance of cure.
On Saturday, Oct. 21, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and the Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) will host an educational symposium for melanoma patients, family and health care providers.
The daylong session at the Nashville Marriott at
Vanderbilt
University will feature presentations about research advances and treatment/management options by
Vanderbilt-Ingram
Cancer
Center researchers and clinicians, who will also take questions from participants.
Speakers and topics include:
- Kathy Amiri, Ph.D., Introduction to Clinical Trials & Melanoma Research
- Darrel Ellis, M.D., Management of Patients at High Melanoma Risk
- Mark Kelley, M.D., Surgical Management of Melanoma
- Jeff Sosman, M.D., Medical Management of Melanoma
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Presentations begin at 9:30 a.m. and will conclude at 2:15 p.m. The event is free and will include a buffet lunch.
For more information or to request a registration form, call (800) 673-1290 or visit the MRF online at www.melanoma.org.
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Affiliated with
Vanderbilt
University and
Medical
Center in
Nashville, the
Vanderbilt-Ingram
Cancer
Center is the only
National
Cancer
Institute-designated
Comprehensive
Cancer
Center in
Tennessee and one of only 39 to earn this highest distinction nationwide. Vanderbilt-Ingram includes a robust multi-disciplinary basic, translational, clinical, and population-based cancer research enterprise as well as state-of-the-art cancer care and clinical trials for adults and children with cancers, and a commitment to the community through cancer education, outreach and information. For more information, visit www.vicc.org.
The Melanoma Research Foundation was founded in 1996 by Diana Ashby, who lost her battle to melanoma a year later. Today, the organization is a leading advocate for melanoma research and education and the primary underwriter for the Society of Melanoma Research, an international organization of melanoma scientists. In 2005 MRF raised over $1.2 million, which is currently being used to fund nine research grants, host scientific forums, raise community awareness and provide educational resources for patients, family members and health care providers around the country.