2 August 2019Through a qualitative survey of cancer patients around New Zealand, this recent study attempted to better understand why New Zealand has low clinical trials participation rates. It found many New Zealand cancer patients are interested in being involved in clinical trials, suggesting that addressing the areas of clinician and infrastructure barriers may help improve access to clinical trials in NZ.
2 August 2019Massey University's Environmental Health Indicator programme has prepared a factsheet for the Ministry of Health on 2015 non-melanoma skin cancer deaths in New Zealand.
2 August 2019Massey University's Environmental Health Indicator programme has prepared a factsheet for the Ministry of Health on 2015 melanoma deaths in New Zealand.
2 August 2019This study presents post-hoc 5-year results from an open-label, multicentre, randomised, controlled, phase 3 study which compared Pembrolizumab to ipilimumab for the treatment of advanced melanoma (KEYNOTE-006). According to the results of the study, Pembrolizumab continued to show superiority over ipilimumab after almost 5 years of follow-up, providing further support for use of pembrolizumab in patients with advanced melanoma.
2 August 2019Individualised sun protection advice given by a GP can lead to sustained improvement of sun protective behaviour., according to this recent study.
27 July 2019Use of pembrolizumab treatment for unresectable or metastatic melanoma in patients older than 85 years may induce responses but is associated with a high risk of toxicity and impaired autonomy, according to this recent study.
27 July 2019New Zealander's for Health Research (NZHR) are hosting four catered lunchtime sessions to share the results of their 2019 Roy Morgan opinion poll. Sessions are being held in Wellington, Dunedin, Christchurch and Auckland.
27 July 2019This recent study analysed data from the 2016 DocStyles, a web-based survey of U.S. primary care providers, to examine skin cancer prevention counseling practices among 1506 providers. Results showed nearly all providers reported regular or occasional counseling on sun protection, however lack of time, more urgent health concerns, and patient disinterest were listed as common barriers.
27 July 2019This recent study validated the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) prognostic model for recurrence-free and melanoma-specific survival of patients with negative sentinel nodes. The addition of other prognostic factors only improved the model marginally.
27 July 2019This recent literature review study sought reviews evidence for management of the parotid/neck following a positive sentinel node biopsy in patients with cutaneous melanoma of the head and neck. Results showed immediate completion lymph node dissection following a positive sentinel node biopsy in the head and neck resulted in improved regional control, leading to significantly better disease-free survival, but did not offer a melanoma-specific survival benefit over observation followed by subsequent salvage surgery if required.
