One in five Americans will develop skin cancer at some point in their lifetime—the most common types being basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. While less common, an estimated 200,000+ cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2024. Melanoma is considered a more dangerous skin cancer due to its tendency to spread. In fact, more than 2 people die of skin cancer (mostly melanoma) in the US every hour. Despite these staggering statistics, there is some good news—skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, and it is highly curable when it is caught and treated early.
“There are steps you can take to increase your chances of catching skin cancer early,” said Dr. John Phillips, board-certified dermatologist at Dermatology Specialists of Florida. “Make sure to schedule an annual skin exam with a dermatology provider and complete monthly skin self-checks at home to watch for any suspicious or unusual spots on your skin.”
Dermatology Specialists began providing free skin cancer screenings in 2006 to fill a need in the communities they serve and provide necessary medical care to people throughout the southeastern United States. With thousands of free screenings performed since they began to offer this service, the skilled providers at Dermatology Specialists have provided life-saving diagnoses to many individuals.
A large part of the mission of Dermatology Specialists is educating patients on the part they play in lowering their risk of skin cancer. There are many simple sun safety tips recommended by dermatologists, including wearing sunscreen daily with SPF 30 or higher, limiting sun exposure, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding tanning beds. Combined with monthly at-home self-checks and an annual skin exam from a dermatology professional, these easy steps form a great protection strategy, especially for individuals with a higher risk of developing skin cancer.
Free screenings from Dermatology Specialists of Florida are available to anyone 18 years or older who has not had a professional skin exam within the last 12 months. Appointments are required—call (850) 932-1455 to schedule.
Dermatology Specialists of Florida
2053 Fountain Professional Court, Suite B
850-932-1455
MyDermSpecialists.com
