Increased melanoma diagnoses basis for new Melanoma Portal

Ottawa, November 3, 2015: The Canadian Cancer Survivor Network is pleased to announce the launch of its newest website portal on melanoma at http://survivornet.ca/en/cancer_basics/melanoma_portal.

Approximately 6,500 Canadians are diagnosed with melanoma annually, and this number increases every year.  For those dealing with this type of cancer, the journey from diagnosis to treatment and management of the disease is rarely a road travelled alone. Spouses, partners, children, extended family, friends and even colleagues may share in the burden of this life-changing disease.

The Canadian Cancer Survivor Network (CCSN) recognized the heavy burden a diagnosis melanoma places not only on those who are diagnosed with it, but on their families and extended support networks. In response, CCSN has created an online portal recognizing and addressing the experience of melanoma, whether in its early or more advanced stages.

"It is critically important to address the information needs and concerns of melanoma patients and their families,” said Jackie Manthorne, President and CEO of the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network. "Each patient will have his or her own experience of melanoma. Aside from purely medical considerations, the journey includes many practical decisions and adjustments. Each of these changes has the potential to impact those closest to them. Providing families and other caregivers a place to find reliable information they can relate to, and a place to connect, can help alleviate some of the anxiety associated with a melanoma diagnosis.”

About the Portal

The Melanoma Portal provides a trusted and accurate source of melanoma information – and connection. Like the spokes of a wheel, sections on the portal centralize information on the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma, provide information and resources on financial planning and address the issues that caregivers face.

The portal includes the following sections: 

•         About Melanoma
•          Prevention
•          Risk factors, Signs and Symptoms
•          Diagnosis
•          Treatment of Melanoma
•          Living Well with Melanoma
•          The Side-Effects of Treatment and Melanoma
•          Mental Wellness
•          Caregiving
•          Financial Information and Resources

 Social media platforms including a melanoma Twitter account, @melanomacan as well as the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network’s general Twitter account, @survivornetca .

About the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network

The Canadian Cancer Survivor Network (CCSN) works to connect patients, survivors and other stakeholder groups with decision makers and the wider community to engage in discussion and to act on evidence-based best practices to alleviate the medical, emotional, financial and social costs of cancer. CCSN encourages and conducts research on ways to overcome barriers to optimal cancer care and follow-up for survivors in Canada.

This website portal was made possible by the generous funding of Merck.