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RAPID CITY, SD - Free skin cancer screenings will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the John T. Vucurevich Regional Cancer Care Institute (CCI), on Monday, May 3. The screenings coincide with Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month. Area dermatologists, as well as Rapid City Regional Hospital and CCI, are sponsoring this event.
The screenings are part of a national campaign to encourage early detection and teach prevention of skin cancer. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), more than 1 million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year. The purpose of the local event is to raise awareness of melanoma and urge Americans to regularly examine their skin for signs of this serious form of skin cancer.
Skin self-examinations consist of periodically looking over your body for any changes in the size, color, shape or texture of a mole, the development of a new mole or any other unusual changes in the skin. Any of these signs should be reported to a dermatologist right away.
A survey commissioned by the AAD showed less than one-third of Americans currently examine their skin for signs of melanoma, and more than half do not know the signs of melanoma. Dermatologists want to change this because when treated in its earliest stages, melanoma can be cured. If not treated early, the disease can quickly spread to other parts of the body and can be fatal. Current estimates are that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.
According to the AAD, one American dies from melanoma almost every hour. More than 75 percent of skin cancer deaths are from melanoma.
The members of the AAD, as well as the participating physicians and Rapid City Regional Hospital, invite the public to take advantage of the free screening event. To schedule a free screening appointment, call the Rapid City Regional Hospital Education Department at (605) 719-2400.
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