Top 5 Skin Cancer-Related Articles of 2021

The treatment landscape of skin cancer continues to change, with new research results showing the potential to improve — and lengthen — the lives of the individuals who continue to be affected by the disease.

CURE® took a look back at some of the most-read articles on melanoma in 2021, ranging from side effects and emotional well-being to survivor stories and the latest drug research. Here are the top five skin cancer articles from the past year:

1. Skin Cancer Can Impact Emotional Well-Being

Skin cancer and its treatments can impact both physical and emotional well-being. This article features insight from psychologist Maureen Sanger, about how patients can cope with the psychosocial effects of a cancer diagnosis.

2. Stories of Loss and Survival With Melanoma

CURE® contributor Robin Zimmerman has had melanoma significantly impact his life more than once. His wife was diagnosed with it in 2004, and after four years of treatment for the disease, died in 2008, Later in 2014, Zimmerman was diagnosed with early-stage melanoma that was removed. In this blog, he shares both experiences. “Fear feeds prevention. Hope feeds diagnosis and treatment,” he says.

3. Certain Blood Pressure Drugs May Increase Skin Cancer Risk

Thiazide diuretics, which are commonly used to lower high blood pressure, may increase the risk of skin cancer in individuals who are aged 66 or older, one study found. Patients should talk to their health care team about potential risks and personal and familial cancer history before starting therapy with one of these drugs.

4. Side Effects From Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors May Increase Hospitalizations, Costs for Patients With Skin Cancer

Immunotherapy drugs have brought significant improvements in the management of many cancer types, including melanoma. However, since these checkpoint inhibitors activate the immune system to fight cancer, they come with their own set of side effects that may lead to increased visits to the emergency room and higher health care costs.

5. Avastin Plus Chemotherapy Improves Progression-Free and Overall Survival in Mucosal Melanoma

Research published this year showed that adding Avastin (bevacizumab) to the chemotherapies carboplatin and paclitaxel improved overall survival and progression-free survival (the time a patient lives without their disease getting worse) in people with metastatic mucosal melanoma.

Continue to stay up-to-date on the latest melanoma advances through CURE®’s skin cancer page.

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