Local dermatologists to offer free skin cancer screenings in May

As part of Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month, local Dayton-area dermatologists are offering free skin cancer screenings to raise awareness of melanoma and other types of skin cancers during the week of May 8-12 and on May 17.

Morning and afternoon appointments will be available at locations throughout the region. Because space is limited, appointments are required. The free screenings are sponsored by the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine Department of Dermatology, Wright State Physicians Dermatology and Premier Health along with the American Academy of Dermatology and Eucerin.

“During Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month, we are encouraging people to check their skin and note all spots on their bodies, including moles, freckles and age spots,” said Julian Trevino, M.D., professor and chair of the Department of Dermatology in the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine. “One in five Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetime. When caught early, skin cancer is treatable and beatable.”

Trevino, an adult and pediatric dermatologist with Wright State Physicians Dermatology, encourages patients to prevent skin cancer by seeking shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.; wearing protective clothing; generously applying water-resistant sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher; using extra caution by water, snow and sand; and avoiding tanning beds.

More than 3 million Americans are diagnosed with basal and squamous cell cancers annually, according to the American Cancer Society. Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, will account for more than 87,000 cases of skin cancer in 2017 and more than 9,000 deaths. However, there is a high chance of cure when it is found in its early stages. Warning signs of melanoma include changes in size, shape or color of a mole.

To schedule an appointment at Atrium Medical Center, Coffman Family YMCA, Miami Valley Hospital South, Samaritan Sleep Center, Upper Valley Medical Center Dugan Infusion Center or Wright State Physicians Health Center, call CareFinders at 1-866-608-3463.

Skin cancer screening dates and locations

Monday, May 8
9 a.m.–noon
Samaritan Sleep Center
80 E. Woodbury Dr.
Dayton, OH 45415

1–4 p.m.
Miami Valley Hospital South
2350 Miami Valley Dr.
Suite 230
Centerville, OH 45459

Tuesday, May 9
1–4 p.m.
Coffman Family YMCA
90 Remick Blvd.
Springboro, OH 45066

Wednesday, May 10
9 a.m.–noon
Miami Valley Hospital South
2350 Miami Valley Dr.
Suite 230
Centerville, OH 45459

Thursday, May 11
9 a.m.–noon
Upper Valley Medical Center
Dugan Infusion Center
3130 N. County Road 25A
Troy, OH 45373

Friday, May 12
9 a.m.–noon
1-4 p.m.
Wright State Physicians Health Center
725 University Blvd.
Fairborn, OH 45324

Wednesday, May 17
8 a.m.–noon
Atrium Medical Center
One Medical Center Dr.
Middletown, OH 45005