The Rhode Island Department of Health, in collaboration with Brown Dermatology, is offering free skin cancer screenings this summer at state parks and beaches. This initiative, known as the Skin Check program, aims to increase early detection of skin cancer, a disease that can affect anyone regardless of their skin tone.
Screening Schedule and Process
The Skin Check screenings will take place on five dates between July 12 and August 17. The first 100 participants at each event will receive a private examination from Brown Dermatology’s doctors and residents. No prior registration is required, and those needing follow-up appointments will be referred to a dermatologist.
Dr. Jerry Larkin, the newly appointed director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, emphasized the importance of these screenings. In a statement released Thursday, Dr. Larkin noted that regular skin checks are crucial for detecting skin cancer early, even among diligent sunscreen users.
“Along with seeking shade and using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, getting a skin check is the most effective way to protect against skin cancer,” Dr. Larkin said. “Skin cancer affects individuals of all skin tones, making it essential for all Rhode Islanders to utilize these free screenings.”
Sunscreen Guidelines and Risk Factors
State health officials recommend using SPF 30 sunscreen, which blocks approximately 97% of UVB rays, for most activities. Sunscreen should offer protection against both UVA and UVB rays to effectively guard against the sun’s harmful effects.
Melanoma, the most severe form of skin cancer, predominantly affects white individuals, with an estimated lifetime risk of 1 in 38. However, Dr. John C. Kawaoka, an associate professor of dermatology at Brown’s Warren Alpert Medical School, highlighted that skin cancer risks extend to people of all skin tones.
“Everyone is at risk, including those with darker skin tones,” Dr. Kawaoka stated. “Our screenings at local beaches and parks often reveal skin cancers, including melanoma, that many individuals were unaware of.”
Impact and Regional Statistics
Since its inception in 2016, the Skin Check program has provided over 3,200 free screenings, identifying more than 230 suspected cases of cancer, according to WJAR, the event’s primary sponsor.
Despite the common belief that skin cancer is more prevalent in sunnier states, New England shows high rates of skin cancer diagnoses. A 2020 study published in the International Journal of Cancer found that northern states like Vermont and New Hampshire have notably high melanoma rates.
In Rhode Island, data from the National Cancer Institute reveals a slightly lower melanoma incidence rate compared to the national average: 21.3 cases per 100,000 people versus 22.5 per 100,000 nationwide. However, rates vary within the state. For example, Providence County had a melanoma rate of 16.2 cases per 100,000, while Newport County’s rate was significantly higher at 36.9 per 100,000 between 2016 and 2020.
Community and Partnership Efforts
The Partnership to Reduce Cancer in Rhode Island, which includes the Lifespan Community Health Institute and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, continues to support this vital initiative.
Megan Daniel, executive director of the Partnership, praised the program’s ongoing impact. “Skin Check has a longstanding tradition of providing free screenings to those in need. It’s encouraging to see community support for this initiative, helping to alleviate the cancer burden in Rhode Island.”
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