Organization: Melanoma Know More
Mission: Melanoma Know More strives to reduce the impact of melanoma through awareness, education, support of medical research, and assistance to persons affected by melanoma.
Activities: Melanoma Know More Research: Melanoma Know More made a financial contribution to support the continued research being conducted at the Dr. Zalfa Abdel-Malek laboratory at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Abdel-Malek's research is focused on investigating the function of the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), its agonists a-melanocyte stimulating hormone (a-MSH) and ACTH, and antagonists agouti signaling protein and human -defensin 3 in regulating cutaneous pigmentation and the response to UV radiation. She was among the first to demonstrate that human melanocytes express functional MC1R and that activation of this receptor is critical for the melanogenic (i.e. tanning response) to UV.
Free Monthly Skin Cancer Screening Clinics: On the second Saturday of every month from 10am - noon, a cancer screening clinic is scheduled and supported by dermatologists, nurses, and administrative staff, who volunteer their time to detect skin cancer, specifically melanoma. If one of the volunteer dermatologists notes a suspicious finding that could potentially be a melanoma, the patient is expedited within four weeks from the clinic date to a dermatologist for further evaluation and a possible biopsy. Melanoma Know More is the only organization in the US to provide such consistent screenings.In 2019, Melanoma Know More provided 12 free skin cancer screening clinics. 791 patients were screening during the year. 28 patients were suspected as having melanoma and were expedited to a dermatologist within weeks from the clinic date. There were 4 documented cases of melanoma that resulted from the screening clinics with the possibility of more that were not reported to the organization. 156 patients were referred to a dermatologist on a non-expedited basis for non-melanoma related concerns and 172 patients were referred for biopsies. In order to facilitate the screening clinics, there were 25 physicians and nurse practitioners who screened patients, 25 RN's and Medical Assistants who supports the screeners, and 35 administrative volunteers. From 2011 - 2019, Melanoma Know More has screened 7,641 patients. 310 patients had suspected melanoma. 2,516 patients were referred to a dermatologist for non-melanoma related concerns. 28 patients were reported as having a a confirmed melanoma diagnosis.
Melanoma Know More Community Outreach: Melanoma Know More partnered with 3CDC in Downtown Cincinnati to support the Workout on the Green at Washington Park and Ziegler Park. Sunscreen and information was distributed weekly to 10,000+ individuals. Additionally, Melanoma Know More facilitated an information and sunscreen booth at the Western and Southern Tennis Open in August 2019 as well as an information booth at various other community events.
Religious classification: None