Belaray Dermatology – Jericho, Plainview, Long Island, NY

Izzie, from Grey’s Anatomy, was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma in season five.

Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer, that is most common in fair skinned individuals.  In sun prone areas, like New Zealand, about one in fifteen Caucasians will be diagnosed with one.  Most melanoma is diagnosed after age 40, with only about 14% of cases diagnosed in younger individuals. In the US, about 55,000 cases are diagnosed per year, and on average one person dies every hour from this cancer.

Melanoma, when diagnosed early, is almost always treatable.  When diagnosed late, the prognosis is often poor, and effective treatment options limited.

What should you do?

1. Protect yourself from the sun using hats, seeking shade, and avoiding peak hours of the day (from 10am-4pm)

2. Learn what the signs of a problem are – when you examine your moles and freckles

2. Make an appointment with your dermatologist for a full body skin examination – and bring your family

Here is information about clinical trials in NY for treating Melanoma

One Response to “Izzie Diagnosed With Metastatic Melanoma”