It's May. Summer is upon us. So is the hot sun. What a perfect time for an awareness month.May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. So now is the time to learn a thing or two about a disease that is largely preventable, extremely deadly, and almost 100 percent curable when caught early.
Think about this:
Someone dies of melanoma -- the deadliest form of skin cancer -- every 65 minutes. Women ages 20-29 are most at risk, with melanoma ranking as the second most common cancer in this age group. But anyone, regardless of skin color or age, can develop skin cancer.
More than one million Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year -- shocking considering the cause of the disease is no secret: skin cancer is caused mostly by too much sun exposure.
OK, how about some good news?
In recognition of this awareness month, Olay and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) have partnered for the third year and are offering a nationwide free skin cancer screening program. Desperate Housewives star Marcia Cross -- who's had two family members stricken by melanoma -- is the face of this campaign, intended to raise awareness about the importance of prevention and detection.
Cross, Olay, and ASDS say regular screenings and daily protection from the sun's dangerous UV rays are the best defenses against skin cancer. And so during May, June, and July, this team is making sure your screening is free.
Visit http://www.skincancertakesfriends.org/ to locate a dermatologist offering complimentary screenings. Once you get an appointment, take a friend. It's free for both of you.
