6/27/2012 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- July is Sunscreen Awareness Month and the dermatology clinic is offering free exams on July 30 to all TRICARE Prime eligible patients enrolled to the 375th Medical Group at Scott Air Force Base.
Appointments are limited and are booked on a first come, first serve basis. Patients who have received a skin cancer screening within the last 12 months are considered ineligible. In order to perform as many skin exams as possible on this day, we must limit our efforts to skin exams. This means we will not have time to address any other concerns.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States and is highly preventable. It is important to have protection from harmful ultraviolet rays.
Up to 80 percent of UV rays can bounce off of reflective surfaces such as snow, water, or ice, thereby getting double exposure. Unprotected skin can be damaged by the sun's rays in as little as 15 minutes and take up to 12 hours for the skin to show the full effect of sun damage. Daily sunscreen use cuts malignant melanoma by 50 percent.
Sunscreen use with an SPF of 30 or greater, wearing sunglasses, wearing wide brimmed hats, covering up with protective clothing and seeking shade when possible are all easy ways to protect individuals from harmful rays that cause skin cancer.
For more information or to book appointments for free skin exam call the Dermatology Clinic at 256-7572.
