Skin Cancer Screening Tour Is Making A Difference

an one million people will be diagnosed with skin1.3 million people annually. AK is the most common
cancer this year. Moreover, the incidence of skintype of precancerous skin lesion. If left untreated,
cancer is on the rise, making early detection andAK can lead to Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
treatment more critical than ever. To raise• 24 with Squamous Cell Carcinoma
awareness and encourage regular skin examinations(SCC)-SCC is a form of skin cancer that affects
with a dermatologist, Doak Dermatologics, a leading200,000 Americans each year. SCCs can metastasize
specialty pharmaceutical company, and The Skin(spread) quickly.
Cancer Foundation have joined forces on an• 111 with Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)-BCC is a
innovative public service campaign called The Skincommon form of skin cancer, affecting more than
Cancer Screening Tour.800,000 Americans annually. Chronic exposure to
Free Skin Exams Offeredsunlight is most often the cause of BCC, which
A 38-foot, custom-built Mobile Diagnosis Vehicleoccurs most frequently on exposed parts of the
(MDv) is traveling across the country offering thebody.
public free skin cancer examinations by local,• 11 with Melanoma-Melanoma is the most
board-certified dermatologists in more than 20 cities.serious form of skin cancer and has increased more
The Tour kicked off in early March at Fisherman'srapidly than any other form of skin cancer during the
Wharf in San Francisco and has traveled to Lospast 10 years. By 2010, the number of Americans
Angeles before heading to Phoenix, Dallas, Houstonwith melanomas is projected to rise to 1 in 50. If
and Tampa, so far.melanoma is diagnosed and removed early, it is
The Skin Cancer Screening Tour is already making aalmost 100 percent curable.
difference. Dermatologists volunteering at the MDv"We're very proud of the results The Skin Cancer
have conducted more than 1,000 patientScreening Tour has achieved so far," says Daniel
examinations while looking for four primary forms ofGlassman, president and CEO of Bradley
skin cancer or precancerous skin conditions. So far,Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the parent company of Doak
the doctors have identified incidences of theseDermatologics. "We hope this program will encourage
conditions in a number of people, including:those at risk for skin cancer to be aware of the
• 271 with Actinic Keratosis (AK)-AK affectsneed to visit a dermatologist regularly.