Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Some Good News About Marriage: Melanoma Patients Have Improved Survival Rates
There's an extra bonus to marriage for melanoma patients: They tend to be diagnosed in earlier more treatable stages than patients who are unmarried, widowed or divorced, a new study says. Spouses may be apt to notice suspicious moles on their partners that could signal melanoma, the most dangerous type skin cancer. More importantly, they may also be more inclined to nag their partners to get those moles checked out, the researchers said. (4/18)
鈥淭he take-home point is not only that people should get regular skin exams, but also to bring someone with you to the visit,鈥 said the senior author, Dr. Giorgos C. Karakousis, an associate professor of surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. 鈥淗aving someone with you can help you make good decisions. And maybe dermatologists should alter their treatment strategy by suggesting more frequent visits for single people.鈥 (Bakalar, 4/18)