ROCKPORT — Pen Bay Medical Center will be hosting a free SPOT Skin Cancer™ screening on Friday, Dec. 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Beebe Health Center, located at 15 Anchor Drive in Rockport.

“Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and nearly 20 Americans die from melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, every day,” said Kathryn Stevens, APRN-FNP of MMP Dermatology, in a news release. “Yet not only is skin cancer preventable, it’s highly treatable when detected early.” 

Stevens and other Dermatology providers will be performing the screenings. 

Screenings will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Pre-registration is not required.

“Unlike other cancers, skin cancer can be seen on the surface of your skin,” Stevens said. “A skin cancer screening is a visual exam that is painless, only takes a few minutes, and could save your life.”

The SPOT Skin Cancer™ screening program is part of the American Academy of Dermatology’s SPOT Skin Cancer™ initiative, a campaign to create a world without skin cancer through public awareness, community outreach programs and services, and advocacy that promote the prevention, detection and care of skin cancer.

Since 1985, AAD member dermatologists have conducted more than 2.8 million free skin cancer screenings and have detected nearly 286,000 suspicious lesions, including more than 32,700 suspected melanomas.

For more information about how to prevent and detect skin cancer, including instructions on how to perform a skin self-exam, visit SpotSkinCancer.org. There, you can download a body mole map for tracking changes in your skin and find free SPOT Skin Cancer™ screenings in your area.

About Pen Bay Medical Center

Pen Bay Medical Center is part of MaineHealth, a not-for-profit integrated health system consisting of eight local hospital systems, a comprehensive behavioral healthcare network, diagnostic services, home health agencies, and more than 1,600 employed and independent physicians working together through an Accountable Care Organization. With more than 19,000 employees, MaineHealth is the largest health system in northern New England and provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. For more information, please visit pbmc.org.

American Academy of Dermatology

Headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., the American Academy of Dermatology, founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of more than 20,000 physicians worldwide, the Academy is committed to: advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin, hair and nails. For more information, contact the AAD at 1-888-462-DERM (3376) or aad.org. Follow the AAD on Facebook (American Academy of Dermatology), Twitter (@AADskin), Instagram (@AADskin1), and YouTube (AcademyofDermatology).