Free Skin Screening at East Jefferson General Hospital

East Jefferson General Hospital will hold a FREE skin cancer screening at its Metairie campus on Saturday, May 21, from 9-4 p.m. in the Esplanade conference rooms just in time for the summer months.

This year alone, over 3.5 million cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed across the United States. In Louisiana alone, people are more prone to skin cancer due to the amount of sunshine we see in the Southeast. Other risk factors to be on the lookout for are moles, a family history of melanoma, and those with fair skin and light hair.

To help prevent skin cancer before it develops, the best thing to do is limit your time exposed to UV rays and seek shade, especially between the hours of 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., cover up your skin, avoid tanning beds, and always wear sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher, even on cloudy days. Those who are at higher risk for melanoma should also seek regular skin screenings, like the upcoming free screenings at EJGH.

Dr. Martinez, who puts on the free annual tests, has confirmed at least one cancer patient in each year of the program’s existence, helping early diagnose patients who otherwise may not have had a way to have their cancer confirmed.

The best way to better your odds once diagnosed is to catch it as soon as possible, leaving open the most options for care. The most common treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, target therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.

Warning signs for melanoma are as easy as the ABCs. If blemishes are A, asymmetric, B, have irregular borders, C, vary in color, D, has a diameter of more than 6 mm, or E, is elevated, then patients should seek a medical opinion.

For more information on the program, contact 504-454-4454.