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Image(Ithaca, NY) May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month and the Ithaca Dermatology Pllc Mobile Mole Patrol will be offering free skin cancer screenings in Ithaca and Horseheads, in an effort to reduce the number of cases of skin cancer and educate the public about its prevention.

The Mobile Mole Patrol will be offering the free screenings in Ithaca on Saturday, May 2, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Shops at Ithaca Mall, 20 Catherwood Road in Ithaca. It will be at the Shops at the Arnot Mall, 3300 Chambers Road in Horseheads on Monday, May 4, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Horseheads screenings on Monday, May 4 coincide with Melanoma Monday, which is part of National Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Both are sponsored by the American Academy of Dermatology .

The Mobile Mole Patrol is actually an RV that Ithaca Dermatology Pllc has converted and equipped for skin cancer screenings such as the ones being held at the two malls

The screenings are free and open to the public. Insurance is not required and each screening takes about 10 minutes to complete. The procedure is non-invasive and does not require the use of any medications. Screenings will be given on a first come-first served basis.

Dermatologist Dr. Kimberly Silvers of Ithaca Dermatology says one of the keys to preventing skin cancer is early detection. “Your skin will give you signs that a potentially cancerous problem may be developing, such as a red, crusty scab that doesn’t heal, or a mole that changes color or shape. It may be a benign situation such as a rash or infection, but the best thing to do is to have it checked by a dermatologist to find out for sure if there’s a problem, and of course, always use sunscreens when you’re outside.”

Silvers says there are three types of skin cancer. Melanoma is the most aggressive of the three and can spread to other organs or parts of the body. Melanoma is characterized by a mole or area of pigmented skin that becomes asymmetrical, irregular, or scalloped, with a poorly defined border. The mole or skin may also vary in shade from brown to black and sometimes red or blue.

Silvers says non-melanomas are less aggressive and non-life threatening. The Squarmous cell carcinoma can sometimes spread. The Basal Cell carcinoma is the least aggressive. A red, crusty scab that won’t heal characterizes these non-melanoma skin cancers. They also bleed easily, and can erode the skin down to the bone, if left untreated.

According to the latest New York State Cancer Registry statistics, more than 2.600 people in New York State are diagnosed with melanoma annually, with more than 400 of those cases being fatal.

The Mole Patrol will also be used as a mobile teaching tool about skin cancer prevention and can be taken to schools as part of health education efforts. Ithaca Dermatology Pllc is already using it to partner with the Ithaca Children’s Garden and its Youth Horticulture Apprentice Program for teaching purposes.

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