For more information, contact: Boonshoft School of Medicine Marketing and Communications, Cindy Young at (937) 775-2951, or Phillip Neal at (937) 775-4587.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 1, 2009

Dermatologists to offer free Skin Cancer Screenings May 11-15

Screenings will take place by appointment at locations throughout the city; May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month

DAYTON, Ohio—Local dermatologists will offer free skin cancer screenings to promote early detection and prevention of skin cancers during the week of May 11-15, 2009. Morning and evening appointments will be available at several locations throughout the city.

Because space is limited, appointments are required. To schedule an appointment at the Wright State University, Atrium Medical Center, Samaritan Sleep Center or Miami Valley South Health Center locations, call CareFinders at 1-866-608-3463. To schedule an appointment at the Cassano Health Center, Greene Memorial Hospital or Kettering Sports Medicine locations, call 937-384-4857 or 1-800-888-8362.

The free screenings are sponsored by the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine Department of Dermatology, along with the American Academy of Dermatology, Atrium Medical Center, Greene Memorial Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, Kettering Health Network, Miami Valley Hospital, Premier Community Health, and Wright State University. The screenings are offered annually each May as part of National Skin Cancer Awareness Month to promote early detection and teach prevention of skin cancer.

"A complete skin cancer screening takes only five minutes," said Julian Trevino, M.D., associate professor and interim chair of the medical school's department of dermatology. "Anyone who is concerned about a worrisome skin lesion should have a screening.

"If the skin lesion has enlarged or changed color, or if it has become painful, sore or irritated, it should be checked by a physician," Trevino added. "If a person has a pigmented lesion that turns out to be a melanoma, removing it at an early stage could save your life. Other types of skin cancer, when detected early, can be removed before they become large and disfiguring."

The free screenings will also include optional DermaScan™ viewing, which uses ultraviolet (UV) light to reveal sun damage invisible to the naked eye.

According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is the most common cancer. More than 1 million cases of skin cancer occur in the U.S. each year, a total that exceeds that of prostate, breast, lung, colon, uterine, ovarian and pancreas cancer combined. The incidence of skin cancer has risen steadily for the past 30 years.

Fortunately, simple actions such as limiting exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays, which cause most skin cancer, can aid in prevention. It is also important to identify skin cancer as early as possible to increase the likelihood of effective treatment.

Skin cancer screening dates and locations

*For appointment call 937-384-4857 or 1-800-888-8362
**For appointment call 1-866-608-3463

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