May is Melanoma Awareness Month, a nationwide observance designed by the American Academy of Dermatology to spread the word about the soaring rates of skin cancer and importance of early detection. Melanoma is among the deadliest forms of cancer and a major concern for residents of areas with warm climates, like Florida. Despite continuing research and advancements in treatment technology, the rate of melanoma diagnoses has been on the rise over the past 30 years in America.

Consider these statistics:

One in five Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer at some point in their lives.

About 76,380 new melanomas will be diagnosed in 2016.

Melanoma will claim the lives of upward of 10,130 Americans this year.

Melanoma affects people of every skin type.

Melanoma affects an average 1 in 40 Caucasians; 1 in 200 Hispanics and 1 in 1,000 African Americans.

The risk of melanoma increases with age, but the disease can strike at any time. In fact, Melanoma is one of the most common cancers in young adults age 20-39, especially young women who frequently sunbathe or use tanning beds.

Risk factors for melanoma include exposure to the sun; atypical moles; fair, freckled skin and light colored hair; a weakened immune system; age; and a personal or family history of melanoma or other skin cancers. In the United States, men have a higher rate of melanoma than women, although this varies by age. Before age 45, the risk is higher for women; after age 45 the risk is higher in men. In fact, in an article penned by Associates in Dermatology President and Medical Director and published in the Skin Cancer Foundation Journal, about half of all melanoma skin cancer occur in men over age 50. Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in men and one of only three cancers with an increasing mortality rate for men.

To help protect those in the community we love, Associates in Dermatology is offering *free cancer screenings at each of our current 12 locations and at various community events like the recent Heart to Heart Annual Women’s Information Expo & Health Safety Awareness Event held at Waterford Lakes May 1st. Our skin cancer awareness and community outreach initiatives have spread across six counties and been covered in many popular publications including:

Apopka Chief

Better Living

Celebration News

CMD

Four Corners

Insight Magazine

The News Leader

Orange Appeal

Osceola Woman Magazine

Life at Hunter’s Creek

Orlando Family Magazine

Orlando the Beautiful

Osceola Newspaper

Osceola Woman Magazine

Poinciana Pioneer

The Planter

Solavita Reflections

The SouthEast Post

We also were featured in a recent issue of Orlando Style Magazine, Central Florida’s leading luxury lifestyle publication, which ranks Associates in Dermatology as the top winner in the Dermatology Practice category of its Readers Choice Awards.

Our dedication to promoting skin cancer awareness and providing free screenings and information each May has made Associates in Dermatology the area’s most trusted source for high quality care for those seeking skin cancer prevention and treatment. Associates in Dermatology also has sponsored the daily UV Index feature on Orlando’s Fox 35 for five consecutive years.

Remember that skin cancer can strike anyone at any time and early detection is critical, as potentially life-saving treatment is far more effective in the early stages of the disease. So, our free screenings are an opportunity not to be missed! Call to schedule yours today. And, look for our two new locations opening in Mount Dora and Hunter’s Creek in June!

*Offer applies to new patients. The patient and any other person responsible for payment has a right to refuse to pay, cancel payment, or be reimbursed for any other service, examination, or treatment that is performed as a result of and within 72 hours of responding to the advertisement for free, discounted fee, reduced fee service, examination or treatment. Existing patients: Free only applies to those who have not been seen in 3+ years.