Early Melanoma Diagnosis At Duke??

[Marylsmith]

Did anyone watch the national news this evening about Duke University doing a new procedure that detects melanoma in it's earliest stages?   I'm about to hop in the car and head down there right now (lol).   Does anyone know if it's covered by insurance or if other schools aside from Duke are doing it?

[saracp]

Thanks for the link... very promising.  Let us know what you find out.  I am a teacher and school is out next month so a road trip to DUke sounds like a great way to start my summer.  tHere is always a risk..BUt not knowing is so much worse.

[Marylsmith]

I only know what I saw on the news segment.  I'm not sure if you noticed, but I posted a link to the news clip.   It is not invasive and apparently they can tell the true nature of the moles with it.   I haven't had time to call the dermatologist yet but it's definitely on my to do list for this coming week.   My dad and I were talking about it today and if it's experimental, there's always a risk of side affects that are not known right now although it didn't appear to have any since it is non evasive but who knows???   Definitely something to at least check out.

[lifeshoulder]

Do you know how this procedure is carried out? Is it invasive？
Without biopsies,how can we know the nature of tumor for sure?

[Marylsmith]

Here's the link to the segment that was run on NBC last night.   Just do a search on the word melanoma:  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/

[Marylsmith]

Yes, it was a machine detecting all melanomas and it could also tell which moles were not at risk which means you don't require unnecessary biopsies.   I have a back (& leg and arms) full of (mostly) small scars and while some definitely needed to be removed, some were suspicious looking but not anything serious.  I'm 4 - 5 hours from Duke but I'm willing to go.   I'm probably going to call my dermatologist's office and insurance company today about it.  

[saracp]

Really?  All Melanoma?  I just caught one "in situ" and they swear that is the only one, but I am so stressed about every bump or mole on my body.  What did the study involve?  Even if it is not covered it would be worth looking into.