Free Skin Cancer Screening for Adults

June 15, 2010 by April Claudio
Filed under Community Notices, Events

The Monmouth Cancer Coalition will offer free skin cancer screening to adults at various beaches on July 17, 2010 (rain or shine) from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. “Choose Your Cover” will combine the collected expertise of four Monmouth County medical centers, two health departments and five municipalities to fight skin cancer where risks are perhaps the greatest - at the beach.

At the designated beaches, a health professional will provide a free skin cancer screening exam to anyone who registers. This is a simple test that can detect signs of skin cancer. All adults age 18 and over are eligible for a free exam. In addition, educational materials, sunscreen and door prizes will be provided.

The purpose of “Choose Your Cover” is to raise awareness about the risks of skin cancer due to sun exposure. The goal is supported by the 2008-2012 New Jersey Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan. In New Jersey and Monmouth County , melanoma is one of the fastest growing cancers. In Monmouth County, melanoma incidence rates are third highest in the state and, contrary to most cancer types, have been increasing dramatically in recent years.

Here are some facts about skin cancer:

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States and New Jersey .
Melanoma is an epidemic. In the United States , incidence rates are rising approximately 4% annually among persons age15 to 34 and 9% of those over age 65.
One person dies every hour from melanoma; almost 70,000 Americans will be diagnosed and 8,700 will die from the disease this year.
Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in men and sixth most common in women.
In Monmouth County , incidence rates of melanoma are third highest in the state; mortality rates are greater than ten percent higher than the statewide average.