Dermatologists and medical oncologists from Skin Cancer and Dermatology Institute and Cancer Care Specialists will educate about skin cancer and skin cancer prevention, and offer a free melanoma screening clinic, to recognize May’s Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month. The event is Wednesday, May 10 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Cancer Care Specialists, located at 6130 Plumas St. Space is limited to 30 people and pre-registration is required.
“May kicks off the summer months and is really the time of year when people begin spending more time outside enjoying sunshine and warm weather. It’s the perfect time to remind Nevadans why and how they should protect their skin from the sun’s UV rays,” said Dr. Whitney Hovenic, a dermatologist at Skin Cancer and Dermatology Institute. “We also know that regular checks to identify changes in one’s skin can aid in the early detection of skin cancer.”
Skin checks by a licensed dermatologist or other trained medical professional are one of the best ways to detect skin cancer, including basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.
According to the U.S. Surgeon General, the number of Americans who have had skin cancer at some point in the last three decades is estimated to be higher than the number for all other cancers combined. And melanoma has become one of the most common cancers among the nation’s adolescents and young adults.
“A skin cancer diagnosis is much more common than many believe, with one in five Americans diagnosed with the disease,” said Dr. Juan Cattoni, oncologist at Cancer Care Specialists. “We’d like to make skin cancer much less common by teaching people how to prevent it altogether or how to find it early when it’s most treatable.”
The clinic kicks off with a short talk about skin cancer and melanoma prevention and treatment featuring both Dr. Hovenic and Dr. Cattoni. Afterwards attendees will receive a 10-minute skin check performed by a medical professional in a private exam room.
Locals can register for the melanoma screening clinic at http://www.nevadacancercoalition.org/skincheck2017.
This is the second skin check clinic and education session offered. The first is scheduled for May 3 in Carson City.
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