SIKESTON — The YMCA of Southeast Missouri and Missouri Delta Medical Center are teaming up to provide an informational event about skin cancer and sun protection just in time before the summer tanning season begins.
The skin cancer screening event is free and will begin at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 2 at the YMCA, 511 Taylor St., in Sikeston.
Heather Bohannon, director of wellness and community impact for the YMCA in Sikeston, said this will be the organization’s first skin cancer screening.
Bohannon said the event will be set up in the community room where Dr. Allison Sindle, a dermatologist with MDMC, will give a presentation on skin cancer and sun protection.
“It will kind of be classroom-style,” Bohannon said. “She will give a presentation and we will have tables and chairs set up so people can sit down and take notes if they would like.”
According to Bohannon, guests will learn how to properly protect their skin from the sun and what to look for if they suspect something is wrong.
“After the presentation, we will have stations set up with Allison and her team where they will do private skin screenings,” Bohannon said.
If anyone has spots in personal areas, there will be a private place to do the screening, she noted.
According to Bohannon, it is critical to remain educated about skin cancer.
“It’s always good to stay educated,” Bohannon said. “Also, we are getting ready to go into summer, and it’s good to be smart about it. It’s one of those things that you never think is going to happen to you and then happens and it changes the course of a lot of things.
She continued: “When a disease such as cancer happens to somebody, it affects not only your body, but your mind, spirit and just your whole being. So, us partnering with MDMC, we just want to make sure we are providing these opportunities for our community that we care about.”
Bohannon said even those who are only interested in attending the presentation but are hesitant to get screened should go ahead and get checked.
“It’s one of those things where a service is being provided so why not go ahead and take that extra step,” Bohannon said.
Bohannon said individuals can RSVP by April 26, but it is not required.
“We just recommend the RSVP for anyone who does want to have a screening,” Bohannon said.
As of Wednesday, April 24, there were 14 screening appointments scheduled, according to Bohannon.
To know more about the event, contact the YMCA.