Free skin cancer screenings offered in May and August

Exciting News: SIH Cancer Care Services is teaming up with Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, SIU Family Medicine and SI Dermatology to offer their annual skin cancer screenings in seven locations in May & August. Registration is required and the phone line is open now to make your reservation.

Last year there was a tremendous community response to skin cancer screenings offered by SIU Family Medicine and Memorial Hospital of Carbondale. People came from across southern Illinois, as far away as Golconda, for this great opportunity. The message was clear, southern Illinoisans are concerned about their skin cancer risks. To answer this need, SIU Family Medicine returns this year with its support and SI Dermatology joins in to make this the largest screening event ever in the region.

Over-exposure to sunlight causes skin cancer, the most common of all cancers. In fact, over 1 million Americans will contract skin cancer every year. Thankfully, when identified early, skin cancers can be successfully treated.

Screenings will be conducted by physician assistants with Southern Illinois Dermatology, residents with SIU Family Medicine, and nurses from St. Joseph Memorial Hospital, Herrin Hospital and Memorial Hospital of Carbondale who are trained in skin cancer screenings.

There will also be educational booths and materials available for people who attend the free screenings.

Reservations are required. Call the SIH Infoline at 866-744-2468 for information or to reserve a time and date.

Skin cancer screenings will be at the following times and places:

May 23rd, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Saint Joseph Memorial Hospital - SI Dermatology
• Herrin Hospital - SI Dermatology
• Du Quoin - SI Dermatology
• Harrisburg - SI Dermatology
• Salem - SI Dermatology (8am-12pm)

August 15, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Memorial Hospital of Carbondale - SIU Family Medicine
• Miners Memorial - West Frankfort - SIU Family Medicine

According to the American Cancer Society, about 2,800 people die from skin cancer each year. Survival rates clearly show the importance of early detection. Five-year relative survival rates are 98 percent when caught in the early stages. When cancer spreads to a larger area (regional) the rate drops to 64 percent and, if it spreads to more than one region of the body it is only 16 percent.

May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Everyone should consider getting screened for skin cancer. There are risk factors that increase the likelihood of contracting skin cancer. They are

• unprotected and/or excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation
• fair complexion occupational exposures to coal tar, pitch, creosote, arsenic compounds, or radium
• family history
• multiple moles and
• severe sunburns as a child.

SIH Cancer Care Services, SIU Family Medicine, and Southern Illinois Dermatology care about you. Please register today.