Burlington County Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio announced that the Freeholders will be offering free skin cancer screenings on June 21.
“Whether you’re basking on one of New Jersey’s beautiful beaches this summer, having fun at the pool, out on the golf course, working in the garden or simply going for a walk or running errands, taking a few sun smart precautions could save your life,” said Director Garganio.
“Skin cancer is currently the most common form of cancer in the United States with more than 3.5 million cases diagnosed each year,” Garganio explained, “While the incidence of many common cancers is falling, the incidence of melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, continues to rise.”
The free skin cancer screenings will take place on Saturday, June 21, at the Burlington County Agricultural Center (Farmer’s Market) on Centerton Road in Moorestown from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The event will include free skin cancer screening, education and information on skin cancer prevention, and skin cancer prevention give-a-ways.
“The Choose Your Cover 2014 initiative is a product of the collaboration between the Burlington County Board of Freeholders, Burlington County Health Department and the Burlington and Camden County Chronic Disease Coalition,” Freeholder Director Garganio added. “Pre-registration for the event is not required.”
While family history and heredity, such as fair skin and light colored eyes, play a role in determining the risk for developing skin cancer, overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays remains a major risk factor.
“Overexposure to sunlight is one of the most preventable risk factors for all types of skin cancer,” Garganio continued, “It is important to take sun smart precautions and reduce your risk accordingly by wearing protective clothing, avoiding the sun during the middle of the day, using sunscreen and avoiding indoor tanning. These measures can go a long way toward reducing your risk for skin cancer.”
For more information contact the Burlington County Health Department at 609–265–5548. You can also visit www.chooseyourcover.org for more information and screening locations.
