At Home Skin Cancer Exam Kit
In recognition of Skin Cancer Awareness Month and the increasing incidence of skin cancer in the United States, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) has created a free Skin Self Exam (SSE) kit available on the Society’s Facebook site. The kit and site were created to educate younger audiences about the potential dangers of skin cancer and the importance of early detection methods.
“Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and is the second most common cancer affecting women aged 20 to 29,” says Robert Weiss, M.D., president of the ASDS. “The 5-year survival rate for people whose melanoma is detected and treated before it spreads is 99 percent; therefore, it’s critical that consumers perform regular self-skin exams. Through Facebook, the ASDS is pleased to provide young women and men who are at highest risk for skin cancer with resources that could potentially save their lives.”
The ASDS’ SSE kit includes instructions on how to properly monitor and measure suspicious moles and other lesions. The kit, available on the ASDS’ Facebook site, Almost 100%, provides consumers with statistics and background information about skin cancer, instructions for completing a thorough self-skin exam, and examples of what to look for when monitoring moles and freckles for the ABCDE’s of melanoma: asymmetry, border irregularity, color variation, diameter, and evolving (changes to a mole’s size or coloring). To track mole locations and changes to the skin, the ASDS has provided consumers with a 12-month journal, which includes a diagram of the body.
Almost 100% represents the important message that skin cancer is almost 100 percent curable when annual skin cancer screenings are performed by a dermatologic surgeon and the cancer is caught in its earliest form. In addition to the SSE kit, the site provides viewers with a variety of preventative tips, the latest in skin cancer news and research, as well as photos and videos. The ASDS encourages “fans” of the site to exchange stories, post photos and maintain an open dialogue about skin cancer.
For more information about the ASDS or to download a free copy of the SSE kit, visit the ASDS’ Facebook site, Almost 100%, or www.asds.net.
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