Free Skin Cancer Screenings Offered By Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center
Published April 18, 2008
Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center will kick off its skin cancer awareness campaign with two free screenings in May. The skin cancer screenings will be held on Monday, May 5th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and conducted by Dermatologists Robert Ilowite, D.O. and Alissa Fox, M.D. In addition, a second screening will be held on Thursday, May 8th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and conducted by Dermotologists Christopher Cassetty, M.D. and Carter Abel, M.D.
People who attend the program will be given a full body screening by one of three board-certified dermatologists. The event will also include educational information on skin cancer prevention and detection, and will address melanoma and reducing mortality rates, but will also address non-melanoma.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), cancer of the skin is the most common of all cancers, accounting for nearly half of all cancers in the United States. More than 1 million cases of non-melanoma skin cancers are found in this country each year.
The two most common types of non-melanoma skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. About 75% of all skin cancers are basal cell. They are most common on areas exposed to the sun such as the head and neck. They are usually slow growing cancers and rarely spread to distant parts of the body. However, if not treated, they can grow into nearby areas and invade the bone or other tissues beneath the skin. Squamous cell carcinomas account for 20% of all skin cancers. Like basal cell, they also form on sun-exposed areas. Squamous cell cancers are more likely to invade tissues beneath the skin, and are more likely to spread to distant parts of the body. Melanoma is the skin cancer to watch out for. It accounts for only four percent of skin cancers, yet causes 79% of skin cancer deaths.
Too much exposure to strong sunlight, especially when resulting in sun burns, is one of the major risk factors for developing skin cancer. As the warm summer months approach and people head outdoors, their risk increases. But there are things people can do to limit their exposure to the sun.
Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center suggests the following strategies for protecting yourself from sun exposure.
- Wear a hat, protective clothing and plenty of sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or greater, applied 20 minutes before going into the sunlight and reapplied every 3-4 hours.
- Avoid exposure during 10 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest.
- Remember that sunlight can reflect off water, sand, and concrete and can reach below the water’s surface.
- Children need extra protection. Encourage them to play in the shade, wear protective clothing and apply sunscreen regularly.
The earlier a skin cancer is detected, the greater the chance for successful treatment. Spots on the skin that change in size, shape or color should be seen by a doctor right away. Skin cancers are rarely painful. Any unusual sore, lump, blemish, marking, or change in the way an area of the skin looks or feels may be a sign of skin cancer.
Many people may not realize that skin cancer screening is an exam that is usually covered by their insurance. In addition, individuals who have been seen or been referred to a dermatologist should continue to see the dermatologist for more comprehensive exams than those of a community screening. This community screening is open to individuals who have not been screened within the past 15 months, and who have not been under the care of a dermatologist. Registration for the free screening is limited. To register call 908-237-2328.