Vidant Health will offer free skin cancer screenings in Washington and Belhaven on May 17 and May 20 in recognition of National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month.

According to a Vidant press release, May is dedicated to increasing public awareness about the importance of skin cancer prevention, early detection and treatment. Although skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, being screened and understanding prevention measures will greatly reduce risk.  Current estimates from the American Academy of Dermatology are that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer. Melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults 25 to 29 years old and the second most common form of cancer for adolescents and young adults 15 to 29 years old.

The release said Vidant Beaufort Hospital, the Marion L. Shepard Cancer Center and Vidant Family Medicine-Belhaven will be conducting the free annual screenings and risk assessments. The screening in Washington will be May 17 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Cancer Center and the screening in Belhaven will be May 20 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Vidant Family Medicine-Belhaven.

“The Marion L. Shepard Cancer Center is committed to providing preventative information as a form of community outreach,” said Kristi Fearrington, Oncology social worker at the center. “The skin cancer screenings are especially valuable to anyone who enjoys any time outdoors in eastern North Carolina — farmers, gardeners, golfers, any sports enthusiast.”

Last year, Vidant did two screenings, according to Fearrington. In Belhaven, 27 people were screened and of those, eight required a follow-up.

“We have them fill out a small questionnaire,” Fearrington said. “One of the questions is ‘Would you have gone to a doctor had we not had this free screening?’ Three of them said they would not have. So in other words, we identified eight people that needed follow-up, but three said they never would have gone so that’s potentially, some preventative measures we were able to take through this screening.”

Fearrington said that 49 people were screened in Washington last year and 16 of those required a follow-up. Eight of the 16 said they would have never gone to a dermatologist regarding the skin issue had it not been for the screenings.

“We love to target those without insurance because typically they wouldn’t seek attention at a dermatology office,” Fearrington said. “We are really excited to be doing this.”

According to Fearrington, physicians and physician assistants conduct a simple test that entails closely looking at a patient’s skin.

“They’re trained to know what to look for,” Fearrington said. “They have magnifying glasses and there is criteria that they go by. It’s the A-B-C-D-E’s of skin.”

Fearrington said each one of those letters represents a separate criterion that is examined during the test: “A” stands for asymmetry; “B” stands for Border; “C” is for color; “D” for diameter; and “E” for evolving.

“All of those components speak to the actual mole or skin concern — shape, size, color, if it’s growing or changing,” Fearrington said. “If they show any of those signs, of course they’re probably recommended for further follow-up.”

During the month of May, the center will also offer an educational community outreach event, entitled “Save Your Own Skin,” open to the public on May 15 at 5:30 p.m. There will be a guest speaker, Dr. Eric Howell of Eastern Dermatology Pathology in Greenville. The seminar will offer information about skin cancer risk and prevention and dinner will be provided. Fearrington said that people must RSVP to attend the event.

To make an appointment for the Washington screening, call Vidant Wellness Center at 252-975-4236. To make an appointment for the Belhaven screening, call Vidant Family Medicine-Belhaven at 252-943-6114. Registration is required and appointments are limited. To RSVP to “Save Your Own Skin,” call 252-975-4308.