Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Free Skin Cancer Screening on April 30

When detected early, about 90 percent of skin cancers can be successfully treated and cured. Sign up now for our free Skin Cancer Screening on Saturday, April 30 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in The Potomac Center, First Floor (next to Sentara Potomac Hospital). Screenings are performed by board-certified physicians.

The screening is free but an appointment is necessary. Call 703-221-2500 to schedule your appointment or for information.

Since skin cancer can be effectively treated if detected early, self-examination of the skin is crucial. Scrutinize those areas of your skin that are regularly exposed to the sun, such as your face, neck, hands, ears and scalp. Most skin cancers develop on the head and neck. Use a mirror to check areas you can’t see, and ask your physician to perform a total-body exam with each routine checkup.

Early detection is important even if you haven’t been in the sun for a while – if you frequented the beach or tennis court as a youth, you’re still at risk decades later.