Essentia Health Duluth Hosting Free Skin Cancer Screening Day, Appointments Encouraged
Essentia Health in Duluth is hosting a one-day event where Northland residents can get a free skin cancer screening ahead of the upcoming summer.
They note that according to the American Academy of Dermatology, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., with more than 9,500 people diagnosed every day.
Therefore, the Essentia Health Cancer Center, in collaboration with the American Academy of Dermatology, is hoping to combat this issue by holding a free skin cancer screening day. I can you firsthand that catching skin cancer early is crucial to successful treatment.
According to their press release, the event will be Monday, May 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Duluth Family Medicine Clinic located at 330 N Eighth Ave. E. While the event is free and open to the public, appointments are encouraged as availability is limited. Anyone interested in getting screened should call (218) 723-1112 to schedule their exam.
Essentia recommends people with an increased risk of skin cancer have screening exams. High-risk individuals include those with:
- A history of excessive sun and UV exposure, including tanning bed use.
- Fair skin and eye color.
- Multiple moles.
- A history of multiple sunburns in their youth.
- Suppressed immune systems.
- A family history of melanoma.
- Prior history of skin cancer.
Essentia Health says that in addition to screening exams for high-risk individuals, they always stress the importance of sun protection when outdoors by using sunscreen or sunblock that has SPF 30 or higher and reapplying every two hours, seeking shade, and wearing sun-protective clothing, including a hat and sunglasses.
The Duluth Family Medicine Clinic, where the event will take place, is a combined effort between Essentia Health, St. Luke’s, and the University of Minnesota-Duluth School of Medicine to train new and experienced doctors in the use of the latest advances in medicine to care for you and your family. The small, independent clinic is located within three blocks of both Essentia Health and St. Luke’s hospitals in downtown Duluth.