MELA Sciences, Inc. Partners With Dermatologists Nationwide To Promote Skin Cancer Awareness

IRVINGTON, N.Y., April 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- MELA Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: MELA).

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As part of its dedication to help reduce soaring melanoma rates in the United States, MELA Sciences, Inc. is sponsoring free MelaFind® examinations at participating dermatologist offices nationwide on May 1, the first day of Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month™.

"Despite advances in sun protection education and sunscreen technology, melanoma rates continue to rise," said Dr. Joseph Gulfo, President and CEO of MELA Sciences, Inc. "Experts tells us that the key to saving lives is by catching skin cancer before it has advanced. We hope this promotion will raise awareness of the importance of annual skin cancer exams in detecting potential melanomas."

MelaFind® is the first and only FDA-approved diagnostic tool that helps dermatologists detect melanoma at its most curable stage. The sophisticated device uses multi-spectral light technology to quickly, painlessly capture data about a mole's growth to help dermatologists decide whether the mole should be biopsied. Consumers can schedule free MelaFind® appointments with participating dermatologists by visiting www.melafind.com.  

Dr. Gulfo expects that the May 1 promotion will encourage more people to visit their dermatologist for a thorough skin examination every year, adding the visit to other annual health exams. According to a Harris survey commissioned by MELA Sciences Inc., although the majority of Americans have an annual physical exam (86%), less than one in four Americans (23%) visit a dermatologist each year for skin exams and professional mole checks.

"I encourage all my patients to conduct skin self-exams regularly and come in for a professional head to toe evaluation at least once a year, or on your birthday in your birthday suit," said Dr. Glynis Ablon of the Ablon Institute in Manhattan Beach, CA, and Associate Professor UCLA.

"We appreciate the support of MELA Sciences, Inc. to motivate patients to take skin checks more seriously as part of their ongoing commitment to skin cancer prevention. The advanced technology of MelaFind® allows us to increase our sensitivity in finding abnormal moles and melanoma. As the risk of pediatric melanomas is on the rise every year, the ability to detect normal versus abnormal moles in kids allows us to reduce biopsies which they really appreciate."

Every hour, one American dies from melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer and the fastest growing cancer in the U.S. Recent studies have shown that people are being diagnosed with melanoma at a younger age, reinforcing the need for proper sun protection habits and vigilance about skin cancer detection.

About MELA Sciences, Inc.
MELA Sciences, Inc. is a medical device company focused on the commercialization of its flagship product, MelaFind®, and its further design and development. MelaFind® is a non-invasive tool to provide additional information to dermatologists during melanoma skin examinations. The device uses light from visible to near-infrared wavelengths to evaluate skin lesions up to 2.5 mm beneath the skin. The device provides information on a lesion's level of morphologic disorganization to provide additional objective information that may be used by dermatologists in the biopsy decision-making process. MelaFind® has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in the US. In addition, MelaFind® has received CE Mark approval and is approved for use in the European Union.

For more information on MELA Sciences, Inc., visit www.melasciences.com

Safe Harbor:
This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include but are not limited to our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that contain words such as "expects," "contemplates," "anticipates," "plans," "intends," "believes," "assumes," "predicts" and variations of such words or similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends, or that do not relate to historical matters. These statements are based on our current beliefs or expectations and are inherently subject to significant known and unknown uncertainties and changes in circumstances, many of which are beyond our control. There can be no assurance that our beliefs or expectations will be achieved. Actual results may differ materially from our beliefs or expectations due to financial, economic, business, competitive, market, regulatory and political factors or conditions affecting the company and the medical device industry in general, as well as more specific risks and uncertainties facing the company such as those set forth in its reports on Forms 10-Q and 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Factors that might cause such a difference include whether MelaFind® achieves market acceptance. Given the uncertainties affecting companies in the medical device industry such as the Company, any or all of these forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Therefore, you should not rely on any such factors or forward-looking statements. The Company urges you to carefully review and consider the disclosures found in its filings with the SEC which are available at www.sec.gov and www.melasciences.com.

SOURCE MELA Sciences, Inc.