Recently Bristol-Myers Squibb announced the FDA had approved a new drug named Ipilimumab to treat melanoma. This is the first new drug the Food and Drug Administration has approved to treat melanoma since 1998. Melanoma is one of the most dangerous and feared forms of skin cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute there were approximately 68,130 new cases and 8,700 deaths attributed to this disease in 2010. Bristol will distribute this product under the name Yervoy, which will be administered through injection. The drug is designed to fight cancer by eliminating molecular brakes that prevent immune system cells from destroying tumors.
This announcement should be good news especially to those like myself who have been treated for melanoma in the past. But don't get too excited, in studies of the drug, patients taking Yervoy lived an average of four months longer than patients that were using older medications. While this may be good news, researchers also stated in their report that only a small group of patients being treated actually responded to treatment. Another downside to Yervoy is the cost. In this case as with many newly released drugs that are under patent the treatment cost is high. One dose of Yervoy is expected to cost about $30,000 or $120,000 for a treatment consisting of four doses.
The lack of a cure for melanoma highlights the importance of knowing how to reduce your risk of ever being diagnosed with the disease. The Skin Cancer Foundation states the vast majority of mutations found in melanoma are caused by ultraviolet radiation. This means protecting yourself from overexposure to the sun is extremely valuable when it comes to melanoma prevention. Using sunscreen to protect your skin when you are outdoors can help reduce your risk. Most dermatologists suggest that you use a sunscreen with at least a rating of SPF 30. One of the best ways to reduce your risk of skin cancer and melanoma is to wear sun protective clothing. UPF (Ultraviolet protection factor) rated clothing is a great way to protect your skin from the sun. Sun protective clothing provides all day protection and relieves you from having to reapply sunscreen multiple times. If you are planning on being in or around water UV protective clothing is especially valuable since the water reflects the sun's UV rays and intensifies your exposure.
Early detection is another important factor that can reduce your risk of ever having to take Yervoy to treat melanoma. Seeing a dermatologist regularly for skin cancer screenings can greatly reduce the risk of getting melanoma. This allows for the early detection of any questionable signs of skin cancer. Going to see a dermatologist for a screening was how I identified a questionable mole that turned out to be melanoma in its very early stages. Catching this early may have saved my life and now I get a screening every six months. If you feel you could be at risk due to family history or skin type, don't wait to make an appointment.
All in all, the announcement of any new drug with the ability to fight cancer is good news. Hopefully the scientists and doctors at Bristol-Myers can use the research they have gathered while studying Yervoy to discover another treatment to cure melanoma. Having the ability to extend a patient's life by an average of 4 months is wonderful but just think if someday we could cure melanoma and extend a patient's life 20 years or more. In the meantime it is important do all you can to reduce your risk of getting melanoma and don't wait to see a dermatologist if you notice any symptoms, early detection may just save your life.
About the Author
Bennett Allen is the president of Sun Sport Company LLC, an online retailer that specializes in sun protective clothing, rash guards, and outdoor sporting apparel. Sun Sport sells sun protective clothing from popular brands like O'Neill, Xcel Wetsuits, and Marmot.
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