Love Your Skin With Free Health Screenings!

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May is skin cancer awareness month, and as a close friend to many skin cancer survivors, I know how important it is to get regular check-ups. If the cost of seeing a dermatologist has you headed for the hills, check out these free ways to get to-notch preventative care!

According to the January issue of Archives of Dermatology, Melanoma (a fancy term for “skin cancer”) is the only cancer for which incidence and death rates continue to increase in the United States, while screening continues to be underused, according to background information in the article. Treating melanoma costs more than $740 million each year in the United States. The article states that screening for melanoma in older adults is just as cost-effective as other cancer screenings.

May is skin cancer awareness month, and as a close friend to many skin cancer survivors, I know how important it is to get regular check-ups. If the cost of seeing a dermatologist has you headed for the hills, check out these free ways to get to-notch preventative care!

According to the January issue of Archives of Dermatology, Melanoma (a fancy term for “skin cancer”) is the only cancer for which incidence and death rates continue to increase in the United States, while screening continues to be underused, according to background information in the article. Treating melanoma costs more than $740 million each year in the United States. The article states that screening for melanoma in older adults is just as cost-effective as other cancer screenings.

If cost is a factor in the reluctance of the country to fully support preventative skin screenings, maybe these FREE events could help:

  • Olay is sponsoring the “Skin Cancer Takes Friends” event by offering free health screenings with licensed dermatologists all over the country. Use the handy online locator to find a participating doctor, and call to arrange your visit. (Be sure to mention that you found them through the Olay website.)
  • Aveeno will be sponsoring the “Road to Healthy Skin Tour” in 50 cities across the country. Free skin cancers screenings will take place in a customized RV and will be staffed by local board-certified dermatologists. Check for a participating Rite-Aid location in your area!

In addition to using sunscreens and participating in safe summer outdoor activities, a preventative screening is vital to ensuring optimal health. Start your summer right by making a skin check part of your vacation plans. With a $0 price tag, you have no excuse not to!

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Guest's picture
christine

Lindsey-
thank you so much for this!! i have no health insurance b/c i am in between jobs, but really want (and i think, need) to have my skin checked. i called a few places but it will always cost upwards of $100! i just made an appt with a Dr. from the Olay website- thank you!!!

Linsey Knerl's picture

I'm so glad to hear this!  I have health insurance, but it is an HSA-eligible plan and the deductible is ghastly.  I am looking to make the drive to a participating office to get in on this promotion!

Thanks,

Linsey Knerl

Guest's picture
Miranda

It would be great if we could have more of these preventative type health care programs more widely available -- and not just for skin screening. How much money would everyone save on health care if the emphasis was on prevention, and not on trying to fix it after there's already a problem?

Julie Rains's picture

There is a dermatologist in my area who offers free screenings one day per week, one per customer every year. I heard him doing an interview on the radio and started going to him last year. His free screenings were booked up for a while when I first called and I wanted to go ahead and be seen but I did get the free screening this year and have an appointment for next year. I am not sure if there are many physicians who do this but it seems like a win/win situation -- the screening doesn't take long but it wins patients, who will (hopefully) gladly pay for treatments and perhaps visit his medical spa next door sometime. 

Guest's picture
Kevin

That's so great. I know of a lot of people complaining about some of the larger cosmetic companies using pseudohumanitarian efforts as an attempt to increase sales, but this is awesome. Until the US becomes a country with a larger emphasis on preventative care, I suppose we will have to live with corporate assistance. :D

Thanks for the information.