The Mole Patrol is coming to Clearwater!
Moffitt Cancer Center is bringing the Mole Patrol to Clearwater Beach this weekend.
Dr. Vernon Sondak from Moffitt Cancer Center and Roxanne Wilder from Q105 go over how you can get a free skin screening to help you and the community stay active on their skincare.
According to the Mole Patrol website:
“The Mole Patrol® skin cancer screening program travels to venues around Florida to offer free skin cancer screenings and cancer education to the public. In its 25 years of operation, the Mole Patrol® has screened more than 18,000 Floridians, identifying thousands of suspicious skin lesions that have resulted in the diagnosis of melanoma, basal and squamous cell cancers. “
The Mole Patrol is stopping at Clearwater Beach Pier 60 on Saturday, July 31 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (weather permitting). The event is open to the public and screenings are free of charge regardless of whether or not you have insurance coverage.
If anything of concern is found visitors will be given follow-up recommendations that their primary care physician or dermatologist.
In 2016, the Mole Patrol celebrated its 20th anniversary!
Living in Florida with the strong sunshine it is important to keep an eye on your skin. Remember, early detection saves lives. The earlier you spot skin cancer the easier it could be to cure.
For more information, email [email protected]
Skin Cancer Prevention Tips
Here are 5 easy tips to prevent skin cancer from the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Apply and Reapply!
Choose a broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with 15 SPF or higher every day. Many moisturizers also contain the recommended SPF for daily use. For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad- spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with a 30 SPF or higher. Don’t forget to reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating.
Seek the Shade
Especially when the sun is the highest in the sky between the hours of 10a and 4p.
Choose Your Fashion Wisely
Wear a cute cover-up, sun-blocking hat and sunglasses to help block the sun.
Keep That Baby Skin Out of the Sun
Keep the little ones out of the direct sunlight. Only use sunscreen on babies over the age of six months.
Check Your Skin
Set a reminder in your phone to check your skin monthly. That way you have a baseline and are more likely to notice when there has been a change.
Written by Rachel Pitts
Hear more about the Moffitt Cancer Center’s Mole Patrol (6:01) on the Experience Tampa Bay in 10 Minutes or Less podcast. You can also hear more about the best pizza in Tampa Bay (:54) and about Tampa Bay Comic Con (2:59).
Photos: Shutterstock
Produced by Micaela Figueroa