DSM To Sponsor The Skin Care Foundation’s Mobile Skin Cancer Education, Screening Program

 

The Foundation has provided more than 25,000 free skin cancer screenings, working with volunteer dermatologist to identify more than 10,000 potential skin cancers and precancers, including 450 suspected melanomas. Tens of thousands of people have received free skin cancer educational materials and sun protection products through the program.

 

“We’re grateful to our corporate partners and individual donors who help us deliver this very important public service,” says Dan Latore, executive director of The Skin Cancer Foundation. “In addition to the people we serve directly with screenings, this program helps our early detection message reach millions more through media coverage, social media and word of mouth. No one who sees the RV can miss the call to action printed on the driver’s side: ‘What’s That? It could be skin cancer.’”

 

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US, and incidences continue to rise. It’s estimated that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70. When skin cancers are found and removed early, they are almost always curable. The estimated five-year survival rate for patients whose melanoma is detected early is about 99% in the US.

 

Since 2020, many people have not been able to visit a dermatologist for examinations due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. As restrictions ease, there are early indications that people may be more inclined to partake in risky behavior as they regain a sense of freedom and move back towards what is considered a more normal day-to-day routine.

 

“For us at DSM, we find it to be a particularly concerning time as the United States moves into summer with its traditional outdoor seasonal rituals – gardening, outdoor exercise, and of course, Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day holidays spent at the beach and backyard BBQs – which all greatly increase a person’s exposure to the sun and the potential risk of developing skin cancer,” said Stephen Wood, senior direction, DSM Personal Care North America. “It is here in this moment that we see a tremendous need to re-educate the public about the importance of practicing safety when out in the sun.”

 

The Destination Healthy Skin RV, equipped with two private exam rooms, will traverse the country from May to September, spending two days in each community it visits. Local volunteer dermatologists provide free, full-body skin cancer screenings on board the RV. Participants receive skin cancer prevention and early detection literature.