Eduardo Ortiz of Miami, third-year medical student at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, organizes free skin cancer screening

2018 Apr 2

Eduardo Ortiz of Miami, a third-year medical students at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, organized a free skin cancer screening that will take place on Saturday, April 21 at the school's Medical Sciences Building in Scranton, Pa.

"Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. Fortunately, unlike other cancers, it is highly preventable and treatable," he said. "The goal of this screening is early detection. Dermatologists will perform exams and determine if there are any suspicious areas that require follow-up or treatment. We also want the community to remember that, as the weather gets warmer, it is important to consistently apply sunscreen and be mindful of sun safety."

While people with light skin, hair or eye color; freckles or moles; a family history of skin cancer; and/or chronic exposure to sunlight or UV light may have a greater risk of skin cancer, everyone has some risk and should be screened.

The Dermatology Interest Group at Geisinger Commonwealth seeks to raise awareness of and encourage medical student interest in the specialty of dermatology through educational seminars with guest speakers, faculty and dermatology residents. This is the seventh free skin-cancer screening hosted by the school.