Troy Aikman joins advanced melanoma awareness initiative

Troy Aikman, Pro Football Hall of Famer and a former melanoma patient, has joined Novartis’ new initiative to educate patients and caregivers about advanced melanoma, according to a press release.

“Throughout my football career, I learned that preparing for and understanding my opponent was the most effective way to beat them, and I see the same situation for people battling advanced melanoma,” Aikman stated in the release. “We’re asking patients and caregivers to team up, mark their cancer opponent and learn more about this disease so they can be prepared for the fight.”

Troy Aikman

The initiative, called “Melanoma Just Got Personal,” will provide educational resources to help people learn more about the disease and support for those with advanced melanoma, according to the release.

“Prompt identification of genetic mutations in advanced melanoma allows oncologists to determine the best treatment plan for that particular person,” Anna Pavlick, DO, professor of medicine and dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center and co-director of the Melanoma Program at NYU Perlmutter Cancer Center, stated in the release.

Aikman was diagnosed with stage II melanoma in 1998, with the melanoma caught early before it spread, the release reported.

The Melanoma Just Got Personal Initiative was developed in collaboration with melanoma patient advocacy groups including AIM at Melanoma Foundation, the Melanoma International Foundation and the Melanoma Research Foundation, according to the release.

Patients, caregivers and families can find more information about the initiative, including individual markings the initiative has created, which are similar to eye black or face paints athletes wear, to show different mutations of the disease, at www.MelanomaJustGotPersonal.com.

Reference: www.novartis.com