Ken Billett

“After today’s treatment, you’re finished.” My oncologist paused, a smile on his face. For a moment, I thought I misunderstood him. Finished? My treatments are over? Was that what he...

As we wrapped up the first of what would become several interview sessions, I asked Trena Brown to reflect on her melanoma journey. Trena will be the first to tell...

Standing near midfield during pre-game warm-ups, I took in the sights and sounds of Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Midtown Memphis. Soon the Memphis Tigers would take on a football...

Earlier this month, pharmaceutical company Merck announced FDA approval of its immunotherapy drug, Keytruda (pembrolizumab), as a treatment option for Stage IIB or IIC melanoma patients. FDA approval came after...

As our first telephone interview wound down, I asked Kent Gilliam, a stage IV melanoma survivor, what message he wanted to send to those battling melanoma or other skin cancers...

Ancient Spartan warriors were legendary for their military prowess and tenacity. Even today, the word Spartan conjures up an image of an awesomely fit, skillful fighter, indifferent to pain and...

As we drift through summer during these unprecedented times, I am still surprised by how much the general public doesn’t understand about skin cancer and its dangers. May was melanoma...

The physician discussed the current landscape of melanoma research while focusing on trends in targeted therapies for late-stage melanoma. I was busy writing notes on a paper pad. My cell...

A few weeks ago, I was looking through posts on a melanoma Facebook group page when I came upon a thread started by a young woman who recently had a...

Talking today with Robert J. Kaplan, MD, my dermatologist. Dr. Kaplan is in private practice in Memphis, Tennessee and currently treats me for a skin ailment (side effect) caused by...

At a conference in late August, I was asked by a colleague about my Stage IV melanoma diagnosis. He was surprised, maybe a little dismayed, by the calm and almost...

On Saturday, August 5th, my wife and I participated in our fifth annual Miles for Melanoma 5K held in Memphis, Tennessee. I say participated because I no longer run in...