Today is “Melanoma Monday”, a day designed bring awareness to melanoma and remind us of what we can do to keep ourselves healthy. Melanoma is largely preventable and—if caught early—is usually a curable cancer.
Volunteering at community events for the Nevada Cancer Coalition, I've heard a handful of the success stories from people who had their melanoma – the deadliest type of skin cancer—found early and treated successfully.
Dilworth Middle School Athletic Director Kelly Mitchell is a sun safety warrior. This melanoma, basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma survivor jumped to say "Yes!" last August to Sun Smart Schools' offer of free sunscreen dispensers and a one-year supply of sunscreen.
Ever heard of Don't Fry Day? For people with fair, easily sunburned skin that's likely every day. But for cancer prevention advocates it's the Friday before Memorial Day each year. It's an annual day to remind people to protect their skin from UV radiation, sunburn, and skin damage that can lead to skin cancer.
Guest blogger: UNR Student Dana Getreu
The truth about our moles and why it’s important for yearly skin cancer checks.
Yearly physicals are encouraged for all ages. Some experts would argue they become more important as we get older. Sometimes what is left out of a physical can be a skin cancer screening. What is a skin cancer check, and why is it important?
Guest blogger: UNR Student Ramsey Pfeffinger
My name is Ramsey Pfeffinger. On Friday, April 26 I got my first skin cancer screening! I’m here to use my experience of receiving this skin check to walk anyone interested through the process. Like many people, I have a slight aversion to medical attention. I know first-hand how scary and cynical of an experience these practices can be.
Guest Blogger: UNR Medical Student II, Anita Savell
Three northern Nevada nonprofits received free automatic sunscreen dispensers and a supply of sunscreen through a community donation program launched by Nevada Cancer Coalition (NCC). The organizations selected through an application process include Community Health Alliance Record Street Health Center for the Homeless, Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation (TMPF), and Northern Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation.
Nevada Cancer Coalition is recognizing Skin Cancer Detection & Prevention Month by awarding five automatic sunscreen dispensers to nonprofits in Nevada. The dispensers are a key component of the coalition’s Sun Smart Nevada program, which promotes skin cancer prevention through sun safety education and access to sunscreen. Applications for the dispenser program will be accepted through May 11.
It’s once again Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month, recognized May 1 – 31 each year. Bookended by Melanoma Monday, this year May 7, and Don’t Fry Day, the Friday before Memorial Day on May 25, the month encourages sun safe behaviors and skin cancer prevention.
Skin cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the U.S. with more annual diagnoses than breast, prostate, lung, and colon cancers combined. Cases of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, are also on the rise. This year in Nevada it’s estimated 790 people will be diagnosed with melanoma.
We've thrown our wide-brimmed hat into the ring for the Gannett Foundation's 'A Community Thrives' program for a chance to win a $25,000 fan favorite grant. The program will also award up to $500,000 in additional grants to eligible organizations. NCC has chosen Sun Smart Schools as our featured program for the funding opportunity, working to secure funding to expand the program into the Elko County schools.
