May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month
CANCER CENTER OFFERS FREE SCREENINGS
FOR SKIN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
COVINGTON - Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. It is estimated that more than 3 million Americans will be diagnosed this year, more than all other cancers combined, according to the American Cancer Society.
Experts at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at St. Tammany Parish Hospital encourage awareness of any unusual or suspicious skin spots throughout the year, but especially during May, which is recognized as National Skin Cancer Awareness Month. And because catching the disease early is important, the Cancer Center is offering several free cancer screenings on the Northshore.
“The good news is, skin cancer is actually one of the most preventable forms of cancer,” said Charity Gay, early detection and prevention specialist, Mary Bird Perkins. “Many cases could be prevented by protecting the skin from excessive sun exposure, which not only reduces the risk of skin cancer, but also staves off painful sunburns and premature wrinkles.”
While one of the most preventable forms of cancer, skin cancer is also very treatable if caught early. Click here for skin cancer prevention tips, signs and symptoms.
Below is a list of free screenings being offered in May by Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at St. Tammany Parish Hospital. Screenings are for men and women 18 and older who do not have insurance and have not been screened in the past 12 months.
Appointments are necessary for all breast cancer screenings and the skin cancer screening on May 28. Please call 888-616-4687 for scheduling.
Screenings include:
- May 1: Breast, skin and colorectal
Nielsen’s Pharmacy, 1619 S. Columbia St., Bogalusa
Breast: 9-11 a.m. and noon to 2 p.m. | Skin: 12:30-3 p.m.
- May 15: Breast and skin
Covington Food Bank, 840 N. Columbia St., Covington
Breast: 9-11 a.m. and noon to 2 p.m. | Skin: 12:30-3 p.m.
- May 28: Skin
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at St. Tammany Parish Hospital
1203 S. Tyler St., Covington
5:30-7 p.m.
Breast
Appointments are required for breast cancer screenings and can be made by calling (888) 616-4687 or by visiting marybird.org/stph.
A clinical breast exam will be provided to women of all ages. Mammograms will be available to women 40 and older who have not had a mammogram in the past 12 months. Insurance will be billed for mammograms, but there will be no charge for women without insurance.
Skin
A physician will perform a visual exam, which is available to those who have not had a physician perform a skin screening in the past 12 months. The screenings do not replace a medical examination or other screening procedures.
Colorectal
East-to-use take home kits will be distributed to men and women age 50 and older who have not been screened for colorectal cancer in the past 12 months. The take-home kits do not replace a medical exam or other screening procedures.
The free screenings are made possible by donor gifts. For more information, visit marybird.org/screenings or call (888) 616-4687
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A full-service acute care facility committed to providing world-class healthcare and the latest technology, St. Tammany Parish Hospital delivers today’s life-improving procedures with the utmost care to area residents with emphasis on wellness, preventive care and disease management close to home. STPH is a self-supporting not-for-profit community hospital; it receives no ad valorem tax funding. STPH.org
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at St. Tammany Parish Hospital provides comprehensive cancer care that strives to positively impact the lives of cancer patients and their families on the Northshore. Services include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery, as well as patient navigation, clinical trials and free community screenings. Not only do patients have access to these vital cancer services and high quality cancer care, but these services are readily available close to home.