| WHAT: |
To kick off National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection
and Prevention Month, the University of Pennsylvania
Health System invites the public to a free screening
where a Penn dermatologist will check their skin to determine
their risk for developing skin cancer. Penn and other American
Academy of Dermatology members across the U.S. will attempt
to set a Guinness World Record for the most people screened
for a skin cancer in a single day in an effort to make the public
more aware of the importance of skin cancer detection and prevention.
|
| WHO: |
Dr. Chris Miller, Penn Dermatology
Dr. Lynn Schuchter, Abramson Cancer Center
of the University of Pennsylvania |
| WHEN: |
Saturday, May 6, 2006
9 a.m. - Noon |
| WHERE: |
Department of Dermatology
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Rhoads Pavilion, Second Floor
3400 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Appointments are necessary and space is limited.
Call (215) 662-2737 to schedule. |
| WHY: |
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, skin cancer
is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. - affecting 20%
of Americans, with more than 1 million new cases being diagnosed
each year. Of these cases, more than 105,750 are melanoma, which
claims 7,770 lives each year. Early detection is the key to
effective treatment. In fact, skin cancer averages a cure rate
of 95% with early detection. |
Editor’s Note: Penn experts will be available
for interviews May 1 - May 5. To schedule an interview, contact
Kate Olderman at (215) 349-8396 or kate.olderman@uphs.upenn.edu.
###
The Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania
was established in 1973 as a center of excellence in cancer
research, patient care, education and outreach. It is one of a select
group of only 39 NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in
the United States and is one of the top five in National Cancer
Institute (NCI) funding. Home to one of the largest clinical and
research programs in the world, the Abramson Cancer Center of the
University of Pennsylvania has 300 active cancer researchers and
300 full-time Penn physicians involved in cancer prevention, diagnosis
and treatment. For more information about specific types of cancer,
cancer treatment, clinical trials, and research advances, visit
the Abramson Cancer Center's resource on www.penncancer.org
or OncoLink at www.oncolink.org.
PENN Medicine is a $2.9 billion enterprise
dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical
research, and high-quality patient care. PENN Medicine consists
of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (founded in
1765 as the nation's first medical school) and the University of
Pennsylvania Health System.
Penn's School of Medicine is ranked #2 in the nation for receipt
of NIH research funds; and ranked #3 in the nation in U.S.News &
World Report's most recent ranking of top research-oriented medical
schools. Supporting 1,400 fulltime faculty and 700 students, the
School of Medicine is recognized worldwide for its superior education
and training of the next generation of physician-scientists and
leaders of academic medicine.
The University of Pennsylvania Health System includes three
hospitals [Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, which is
consistently ranked one of the nation's few "Honor Roll"
hospitals by U.S.News & World Report; Pennsylvania Hospital,
the nation's first hospital; and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center];
a faculty practice plan; a primary-care provider network; two multispecialty
satellite facilities; and home care and hospice.
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