May 1, 2006
CONTACT: Kate Olderman
(215) 349-8369
kate.olderman@uphs.upenn.edu
Penn Participates in National Campaign to Set
Guinness World Record for
Most Skin-Cancer Screenings in Single Day
Free screenings offered to the public
| 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.
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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.
This release is available online at http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/news/News_Releases/may06/cncrscrn.htm