
SCI offering skin cancer screenings May 20
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, with about 9,500 people diagnosed each day. Physicians find 3 million instances of skin cancer annually and the number has grown steadily over the past 40 years.
Central Illinois residents are encouraged to register for a free skin cancer screening from 5 - 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 20, at Simmons Cancer Institute (SCI) at SIU Medicine, 315 W. Carpenter St., Springfield.
Dermatologists will perform free consultations to screen for the most common types of skin cancer: squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. Physicians will examine the parts of the body exposed to sunlight to inspect for moles, birthmarks or other pigmented areas that could possibly present as abnormal in color, size, shape or texture.
The Regional Cancer Partnership of Illinois, a collaboration of SCI, Memorial Health, Springfield Clinic and other organizations, is hosting the screening. May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and the event encourages cancer prevention and skin health awareness.