HUNTSMAN CANCER INSTITUTE
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH

May 14, 2008
Free screening finds suspected skin cancers
More than 400 patients examined at 8th annual event at Huntsman Cancer Institute

Salt Lake City—Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. In an effort to find skin cancer early, Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah held its eighth annual free skin cancer screening Saturday, May 3, 2008. HCI, University of Utah (U of U), and community dermatologists examined a total of 411 patients, many of whom had never been examined by a dermatologist.

The free screening was conducted as part of Melanoma and Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month in May. Participating doctors said they discovered 204 suspected cancerous or suspicious lesions. At least eight possible melanomas were among the number, setting a record high for the eight years HCI has been conducting the clinic. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer, with one person dying of melanoma almost every hour. Since the 1930s, the incidence of melanoma has increased more than 200 percent.

"When you consider that skin cancer strikes about one in five Americans in their lifetime, you would think that more people would be concerned and would check their skin routinely," says Donna Branson, director of HCI's Patient and Public Education Department. "But that's not the case. Most people don't know what to look for and only about one in three people check their skin regularly for changes. The good news is that if detected and treated early, this disease can often be cured."

HCI dermatologists recommend that people of all ages should check their skin, head-to-toe, front-to-back, at least three to four times a year, and should consult a dermatologist once a year. For more information about the warning signs of melanoma, go to http://www.hopeguide.org/hope/ResourceDetailCMD.jac?searchString=null&score=0&resourceID=3525&referer=publicWebSite

For other cancer screening guidelines, go to http://www.hci.utah.edu/birthdayScreening/.

About Huntsman Cancer Institute

HCI's mission is to understand cancer from its beginnings, to use that knowledge in the creation and improvement of cancer treatments, to relieve the suffering of cancer patients, and to provide education about cancer risk, prevention, and care. HCI is a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center, which means it meets the highest national standards for cancer care and research and receives support for its scientific endeavors. HCI is also a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), a not-for-profit alliance of the world's leading cancer centers dedicated to improving the quality and effectiveness of care provided to patients with cancer.

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