Skin Cancer Screenings for Melanoma Awareness Month
May 26, 2017
As the recurring sponsor of the daily UV Index feature on Fox 35 in Orlando, Associates in Dermatology has become well known in many of the Central Florida communities served by our 15 locations. In turn, it has become our goal to reach out to each community in hopes of saving lives through better patient outcomes for all skin cancer treatments. “The journey begins with educating key members in the community and making everyone aware of the vital role that routine screenings play in the early detection and treatment of skin cancer,” said Dr. Michael Steppie, Associates in Dermatology President and Medical Director.
May is “Melanoma Awareness Month”, a nationwide observance founded by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) to spread the word about the importance of early detection for the deadliest form of skin cancer. In addition to providing better sun-safety education through their community outreach programs, Associates in Dermatology is committed to providing FREE* skin cancer screenings at each location during May. With rates for both incidences and deaths continuing to rise, melanoma is a major health concern for everyone living in warmer climates like Florida.
Consider the statistical research collected by American Academy of Dermatology:
- An estimated 161,790 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in 2017.
- Melanoma affects people of every skin type.
- On average, one American dies from melanoma every hour.
- People with 50+ moles, atypical or large moles are at an increased risk for melanoma.
- Before age 50, melanoma incidence rates are higher in women than men.
- By age 65, melanoma incidence rates are twice as high in men.
- Melanoma is the second most common form of cancer in females ages 15-29.
- In 2017, it is estimated that 9,730 deaths will be attributed to melanoma.
- Five-year survival rates for melanoma detected and treated early is 98 percent.
- Each year in the U.S. over 5.4 million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer are treated in more than 3.3 million people.
In an article penned by Dr. Michael Steppie and published in the Skin Cancer Foundation Journal, about half of all melanoma skin cancer occurs in men over age 50. Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in men and one of only three cancers with an increasing mortality rate for men. The incidence of melanoma in men ages 80 and older is three times higher than women of the same age.
Our dedication to promoting melanoma awareness and providing free skin cancer screenings each May has made Associates in Dermatology one of the most trusted sources for high quality care for those seeking skin cancer prevention and treatment. Remember skin cancer can strike anyone at any time and early detection is crucial to delivering life-saving treatments in a timely manner, so call to schedule your free skin cancer screening today.
*Offer applies to new patients. The patient and any other person responsible for payment has a right to refuse to pay, cancel payment, or be reimbursed for any other service, examination, or treatment that is performed as a result of and within 72 hours of responding to the advertisement for free, discounted fee, reduced fee service, examination or treatment. Existing patients: Free only applies to those who have not been seen in 3+ years.