Evansville, Indiana, May 10, 2010 - Dermatologists conducted free skin cancer screenings on Friday, May 7th at Evansville Cancer Center. Approximately 89 people, many of whom had never been examined before by a dermatologist, attended the free full body skin cancer screening.
The free screenings were conducted as part of Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month in May. Board certified dermatologists Drs. Shari Barrett, Jane Lim, and Mary Tisserand along with the staff of Evansville Cancer Center volunteered their time in support of the national program sponsored by the American Academy of Dermatology and Evansville Cancer Center.
Of the 89 people screened, 39 (43 percent of the people screened) had suspected cancerous or suspicious lesions. Doctors said that 22 of those could possibly be melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer.
‘More than one million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year. However, if detected and treated early, this disease can often be cured,’ Dr. Lim said.
It is estimated that more than 116,500 new cases of melanoma will occur in 2010 and more than 8,420 are expected to die of the disease. One American dies from melanoma almost every hour. More than 75 percent of skin cancer deaths are from melanoma.
Fortunately, most skin cancers, including melanoma, can be cured if detected early. But according to a recent survey by the American Academy of Dermatology, most Americans don’t know the warning signs of melanoma and only about a third even know what melanoma is. The survey also found that fewer than one-third examine their skin for signs of skin cancer.
Protect the skin you’re in! Know how to detect and prevent skin cancer and the importance of self-examination. If you have a suspicious lesion, get it check out by a dermatologist or a health care professional!
Contact:
Robin Lawrence, Director of Marketing
Evansville Cancer Center/Vantage Oncology
812-474-6000
e-mail: rlawrence@vantageoncology.com
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