HEALTH ALERT: Free Skin Cancer Screenings Offered In Littleton

LITTLETON, CO – Anyone who loves the Colorado sunshine knows it comes with a hidden danger – the chance of skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., the Skin Cancer Foundation says, but it’s also highly preventable and highly treatable when caught early. The foundation estimates that more than 1,600 skin cancer cases will be diagnosed in Colorado in 2018.

Volunteer dermatologists with the Skin Cancer Foundation will make a stop in Littleton with their mobile skin cancer RV on July 17-18 to offer free skin cancer screenings. As part of the foundation's skin cancer education program, Destination: Healthy Skin, volunteers will also hand out educational materials and "sun protection giveaways."

The traveling screening RV will stop in 15 cities over three months. In 2017, the program provided more than 800 free skin cancer screenings, where dermatologists identified more than 200 suspected skin cancers and gave patients the tools to follow up for treatment.

In Littleton, the RV will stop at the Littleton Family YMCA, 11 W Dry Creek Ct. Screenings will be available between 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., on Tuesday July 17 and Wednesday July 18.

Doctors Stephen Ho, Darnell Martin-Wimmer and Matthew Mahlberg, who have all donated their time and services to the Foundation, will be conducting the screenings.

What to Expect During a Skin Cancer Screening according to the foundation: The participant is given a brief form to fill out and is then shown to one of the RV’s exam rooms. After the person changes into a gown, the dermatologist examines the patient’s skin from head to toe. The doctor notes any findings on the form and makes recommendations for next steps, which may include a formal visit to a dermatologist for a biopsy. To make the most of a screening, the Foundation recommends that participants remove nail polish and makeup in advance, let the doctor know if there is a personal or family history of skin cancer and point out during the exam any spots that are new or have changed.

The exam takes approximately 10 minutes. It’s best to arrive early, as screenings are provided on a first-come, first-served basis. At events where screenings aren’t available, staff will be on hand to distribute educational materials and sun protection samples.

The most dangerous skin cancers are rare-but-dangerous Merkel cell carcinoma and acral lentiginous melanoma. The most commonly found cancers and pre-cancers are basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), melanoma and actinic keratosis. Early diagnosis and treatment is crucial for success in treating these cancers, the foundation said.

You can find out more at: The Skin Cancer Foundation website.

Image via the Skin Cancer Foundation

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