Press Releases

Mercy Regional Cancer Center Hosts Free Skin Cancer Screening

Port Huron, MI…It’s time to check your Spots! The Mercy Regional Cancer Center invites you to attend the FREE Skin Cancer Screening Wednesday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Mercy Hospital. Local dermatology physicians will be on hand to discuss your skin cancer concerns and provide a skin check. For more information or to make an appointment, please call 810/985-1484.

Most of the more than 1 million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer diagnosed yearly in the United States are considered to be sun-related. Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, will account for about 62,190 cases of skin cancer in 2006.

This program is co-sponsored by the Mercy Regional Cancer Center and the American Academy of Dermatology. When found early, skin cancer is extremely treatable. If you experience any of the following signs and symptoms of skin cancer, talk to your doctor immediately:

• Any change on the skin, especially in the size or color of a mole or other darkly pigmented growth or spot, or a new growth
• Scaliness, oozing, bleeding, or change in the appearance of a bump or nodule
• The spread of pigmentation beyond its border such as dark coloring that spreads past the edge of a mole or mark
• A change in sensation, itchiness, tenderness or pain

Walk-ins for Mercy’s FREE Skin Cancer Screening will be accepted based on availability. To ensure your free skin cancer screening, call Mercy Hospital at 985-1484 to make your reservation.

To help in the prevention of skin cancer avoid intense sunlight for long periods of time and practice sun safety: avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.; seek shade, especially in the middle of the day when the sun’s rays are the strongest; slip on a shirt and cover up exposed skin; wear sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher; and cover your head. Finally, be sure to practice these sun safety tips even on cloudy or overcast days. UV rays travel through the clouds.

To find out more about the extensive cancer care programs and services provided through the Mercy Regional Cancer Center, visit Mercy Hospital on-line at www.mercyporthuron.com; or visit the American Cancer Society’s website at: www.cancer.org.