Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.

Regular self-skin exams or a yearly examination by a dermatologist is the best way to help people find early skin cancers and Ascension Medical Group at Westwood in Wausau is offering free skin cancer screenings during the Month of July.

Screenings take approximately 10 minutes and will be provided by Ascension Medical Group Dermatologist Vijay Vanchinathan, MD, FAAD.

“People of all colors and races can get skin cancer and there are many different types,” said Dr. Vanchinathan. “This includes basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma. BCC and SCC are the most common forms of skin cancer, but melanoma is one of the deadliest.”

Vanchinathan adds that with early detection and proper treatment, the cure rate for BCC and SCC is approaches 100-percent. “Melanoma can also have a high cure rate if detected early in its development,” said Vanchinathan.

Ascension Medical Groups skin cancer screenings will include a visual inspection of the skin and are provided at no charge during selected times, but space is limited. To register or for more information, please call Ascension Nurse Direct at 800-362-9900 or visit https://healthcare.ascension.org/Events/2018/06/F/Free-Skin-Cancer-Screening—Westwood-Clinic. Ascension Medical Group at Westwood is located at 1901 Westwood Center Boulevard, Wausau.