For more information contact: Boonshoft School of Medicine, Judi Engle, Office of Public Relations, (937) 775-2951

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 17, 2001

WSU Dermatologists Offer
Free Skin Cancer Screenings

DAYTON, OHIO -- Wright State University School of Medicine's Section of Dermatology will conduct free skin cancer screenings in May at selected area hospitals and clinics. Appointments for the screenings can be made Monday, May 14, through Friday, May 18.

The free screenings will be offered at Good Samaritan Clinic (3535 Salem Avenue) on Tuesday, May 22 (9:00 a.m.-noon) and Wednesday, May 23 (1:00-4:00 p.m.); and at Wright State University (Room 025 University Hall) on Tuesday, May 22 (1:00-4:00 p.m.), Wednesday, May 23 (9:00 a.m.-noon), and Thursday, May 24 (1:00-4:00 p.m.).

Make appointments for Good Samaritan Clinic and Wright State by calling the American Cancer Society toll-free at
1-888-227-6446 (call Monday, May 14, through Friday, May 18).

In addition, free screenings will be offered at Alliance Cancer Center on the Southview Hospital Campus, 1997 Miamisburg-Centerville Rd., on Friday, May 25 (8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:00-4:00 p.m.). Make appointments for Southview by calling 296-7899 (call Monday, May 14, through Friday, May 18).

A skin cancer screening takes only five minutes, according to Dr. Julian Trevino, a Wright State dermatologist.

"Anyone who is concerned about a worrisome skin lesion should have a screening," Trevino explains. "If the skin lesion has enlarged or changed color, or if it has become ulcerated or irritated, it should be checked by a dermatologist.

"If a person has a pigmented lesion that turns out to be a melanoma, removing it at an early stage could save a life," he continues. "Other types of skin cancer, when detected early, can be removed before they become large and disfiguring."

Dermatologists of the Miami Valley offer free screening clinics each May, during National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month. The screenings are part of a nationwide program sponsored by the American Academy of Dermatology to promote early detection and teach prevention of skin cancer.

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