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| Contact: Christine Hill 612-873-5719 |
04/11/08 |
Free skin cancer screenings will be held on Tuesday, May 6 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Hennepin County Medical Center's Dermatology Clinic, as part of Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month. The screenings are part of a national campaign to encourage early detection and teach prevention of skin cancer, the most common form of cancer in this country.
"Here in Minnesota, we long for the summer months after being indoors all winter, and when the snow finally melts, the last thing we want to think about is avoiding the sun," says Hennepin County Medical Center's Chief of Dermatology Bruce Bart, MD. "But that's the point. You can still enjoy the sunshine - just make sure you protect your skin from its harmful rays by wearing sunscreen, seeking shade and covering up with a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and long sleeves when necessary."
Hennepin dermatologists discovered a number of precancerous and suspicious moles at last year's free skin screenings. Of the patients attending the event, 74 had moles that required additional attention, and 9 patients had moles that required a biopsy.
"Only 15 patients actually had what we consider a `negative' or `normal' screening," says Dr. Bart. "Every year 55,000 Americans are diagnosed with melanoma, and it's a very preventable cancer. We hope that with research and education, melanoma rates will start to decline."
The free screenings are part of a national detection and prevention program to raise awareness and urge Americans to regularly examine their skin for signs of skin cancer. Skin self-examinations consist of periodically looking over your body for any changes in the size, color, shape or texture of a mole, the development of a new mole or any other unusual changes in the skin. Any of these signs should be reported to a dermatologist right away.
The members of the American Academy of Dermatology and the staff at Hennepin County Medical Center invite the public to take advantage of the free screenings on May 6 and to begin a lifetime habit of skin self-exams. Call 612-873-2332 today to reserve an appointment. A limited number of screening slots are open, and they fill up quickly.
Founded in 1938, the American Academy of Dermatology is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. The Academy is committed to advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair and nails. For more information, contact the Academy at 1-888-462-DERM (3376) or www.aad.org.
Hennepin County Medical Center is a public acute care, research, and teaching hospital repeatedly recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of America's Best Hospitals. Hennepin's Dermatology Clinic offers a range of services for diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases.
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