May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month - and the summer sun is coming (honest!). Be ready to protect yourself! More than 1 million Americans will be diagnosed this year with skin cancer, which accounts for nearly half of all cancer cases in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society.

On Wednesday, May 14, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., we are pleased to offer FREE skin cancer screenings in North Puget Cancer Center at United General Hospital.To register for this free, confidential screening, provided by Dermatologist J. Semmes Mickelwait, MD, please call (360) 856-7245 or send a message to: wellness360@unitedgeneral.org.  

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IMPORTANCE OF SKIN CANCER SCREENING
Statistics show that the most common type of skin cancer is nonmelanoma, which is less invasive and deadly, but an estimated 60,000 people each year are diagnosed with melanoma, which is responsible for the majority of skin cancer deaths.However, early detection and prompt treatment can mean a nearly 100 percent chance of survival regardless of the type of skin cancer, according to the cancer society.

Screenings, which involve a head-to-toe skin assessment in which a doctor will look for discolored or misshapen moles, take about 5 minutes. Those found with possible skin cancer or precancerous conditions will be given referrals following the screening.

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SKIN CANCER STATS
Current estimates are that 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.Melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults 25-29 years old and the second most common form of cancer for adolescents and young adults 15-29 years old.Melanoma is increasing faster in females 15-29 years old than males in the same age group. In females 15-29 years old, the torso is the most common location for developing melanoma which may be due to high-risk tanning behaviors.

Melanoma in individuals 10-39 years old is highly curable with five-year survival rates exceeding 90 percent.

1 in 58 men and women will be diagnosed with melanoma during their lifetime. Caucasians and men over 50 years of age are at a higher risk of developing melanoma than the general population.