LA JOLLA, Calif. & WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DermTech, Inc. (NASDAQ:DMTK) (“DermTech”) and the Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) recognize Melanoma Awareness Month this May with an “Ask a Dermatologist” webinar series offered on MRF’s Facebook page every Thursday throughout the month to raise awareness of melanoma and educate around the dangers of the fastest growing and most deadly form of skin cancer.
Melanoma is the most deadly and aggressive form of skin cancer, and early detection is critical to provide patients with their best chance for a cure. It is the fastest growing cancer worldwide, and in 2020, more than 196,000 Americans are expected to be diagnosed with melanoma. Of these, more than 100,000 will be diagnosed with invasive (Stage I, II, III or IV) melanoma and nearly 96,000 will be diagnosed with melanoma in situ (Stage 0). For every 30 days that early stage melanoma treatment is delayed, there is a negative impact on overall survival, which is why disease education and early detection is critical.
“Melanoma Awareness Month is an important time to bring much-needed attention to the dangers and increasing prominence of this deadly disease that can impact anyone at any time of year. Disease education is a key component in MRF’s mission to eradicate melanoma as it provides critical tools and information that enable people to be vigilant in preventing and detecting melanoma,” said Kyleigh LiPira, MBA, Chief Executive Officer of the MRF.
The MRF will host the weekly webinars via Facebook Live every Thursday at 4:00 PM Eastern Time. Each webinar will feature a dermatologist who will speak live about various topics surrounding melanoma and answer questions from those participating in the live webinar. The first webinar will take place on Thursday, May 7th and will feature Dr. Orit Markowitz, director of skin cancer at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, to discuss how telemedicine and skin self-exams can help people remain attentive to melanoma detection throughout COVID-19.
“Raising awareness and educating the community is a critical step in preventing this aggressive skin cancer as early detection can help save lives,” said John Dobak, MD, Chief Executive Officer of DermTech. “Melanoma Awareness Month provides an opportunity to honor those impacted by melanoma and remind everyone of the simple yet essential steps they can take to reduce their risk and the importance of seeing a dermatologist each year for an annual skin check. Melanoma won’t wait, so any concerning moles should immediately be brought to their dermatologist’s attention either in person or via a telemedicine appointment.”
For more information on the “Ask a Dermatologist” Facebook Live webinars, including upcoming topics for discussion, please visit the MRF Facebook page here.
About the Melanoma Research Foundation:
The Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) is the largest independent organization devoted to melanoma. Committed to the support of medical research in finding effective treatments and eventually a cure for melanoma, the MRF also educates patients and physicians about prevention, diagnosis and the treatment of melanoma. The MRF is an active advocate for the melanoma community, helping to raise awareness of this disease and the need for a cure. The MRF’s website is the premier source for melanoma information seekers.
About DermTech:
DermTech is the leading genomics company in dermatology and is creating a new category of medicine, precision dermatology, enabled by our non-invasive skin genomics platform. DermTech’s mission is to transform the practice of dermatology through more accurate diagnosis and treatment, and the elimination of unnecessary surgery, leading to improved patient care and lower costs. DermTech provides genomic analysis of skin samples collected non-invasively using an adhesive patch rather than a scalpel. DermTech markets and develops products that facilitate the early detection of skin cancers, and is developing products that assess inflammatory diseases and customize drug treatments. For additional information on DermTech, please visit DermTech’s investor relations site at: www.DermTech.com.
Forward Looking Statements:
This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The expectations, estimates, and projections of DermTech may differ from its actual results and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, expectations with respect to: the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on melanoma detection and how telemedicine can help with melanoma detection throughout COVID-19; and the performance, patient benefits, cost-effectiveness and commercialization of DermTech’s products. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside of the control of DermTech and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (1) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against DermTech; (2) DermTech’s ability to obtain additional funding to develop and market its products; (3) the existence of favorable or unfavorable clinical guidelines for DermTech’s tests; (4) the reimbursement of DermTech’s tests by Medicare and private payors; (5) the ability of patients or healthcare providers to obtain coverage of or sufficient reimbursement for DermTech’s products; (6) DermTech’s ability to grow, manage growth and retain its key employees; (7) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (8) the market adoption and demand for DermTech’s products and services together with the possibility that DermTech may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; and (9) other risks and uncertainties included in (x) the “Risk Factors” section of the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) by the company, and (y) other documents filed or to be filed with the SEC by the company. DermTech cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. You should not place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. DermTech does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.