2022 RFD STATISTICS
NUMBER OF SKIN SCREENINGS: 61
percent of biopsy recommendations: 7%
PERCENT REFERRED FOR FOLLOW-UP: 2%
NUMBER OF REGISTRANTS: 312
In 2022, a portion of Run for Dunn proceeds was donated to St. Luke's in support of skin cancer prevention education and outreach, as well as a melanoma research trial. The clinical research trial conducted at St. Luke’s Cancer Institute is open to patients with a melanoma diagnosis who have BRAF-V6000 mutant melanoma that has spread to the brain. “BRAF mutations are DNA changes in some cancer cells that can be treated with newer targeted therapies. Such mutations are found in roughly half of melanomas. Medications that target these mutations have significantly improved the survival rates of metastatic melanoma.” (1) Although melanoma accounts for only 1% of diagnosed skin cancers, it is the cause of most skin cancer-related deaths. (2) This specific NCI (National Cancer Institute) melanoma study compares two different immunotherapy treatments. While patients with this specific melanoma diagnosis are few, their prognosis is often bleak, so this study offers patients another treatment option. Since the NCI clinical trial is unfunded, the RFD funds provide important support for research and the patients involved in this melanoma clinical research study.
Sources:
1 BRAF Mutation: Cancer Types, Testing, Treatment (verywellhealth.com)
