For the third year in a row, Ozarks Dermatology Specialists are holding an event that offers free skin cancer screenings for firefighters in June.
What We Know: Through the American Academy of Dermatology’s Firefighter Skin Checks Program, local active or retired firefighters can get checked for skin cancers like melanoma, which, due to the carcinogens they are exposed to on the job, they are 21% more likely to be diagnosed with in their lifetime.
In the past two years of the program, dermatologists have successfully found and treated several cases of skin cancer on firefighters.
What They’re Saying: Dermatologists are using the program as an opportunity to spread awareness of what everybody can do to prevent skin cancer in their daily lives.
Protecting your skin from excess UV exposure by using sunscreen and wearing protective clothing are some of the best practices when preventing skin cancer. For firefighters, making sure that the equipment and gear is properly cleaned after fighting fires is also very important.
Firefighters can go in for their free screenings on Friday June 19th at 4350 S National Ave. Suite C-100 from 12-2 p.m., or Monday June 22nd at 3808 S Greystone Ct. Building B from 12:30-3:30 p.m.