Free screening for Skin Cancer Awareness Month

May is National Skin Cancer Awareness month and Durham dermatologist Dr. Brooke Jackson, Medical Director of Skin Wellness Dermatology Associates, is holding a free skin screening clinic Monday, May 23 from 9am-12 to help raise awareness.

"It is cumulative," Dr. Jackson explained.

"So, whatever you've been doing since you were a little kid - on the playground, outdoors playing golf, running, doing whatever you like to do - it's not uncommon. So, definitely in the late 20s early 30s we start seeing the effects of all the sun exposure," Jackson said.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the US according to the American Academy of Dermatology and it's estimated 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.

Dr. Jackson points out, men are at higher risk.

"There is a higher risk on men," Jackson said.

"Ears are exposed, shorter hair for the same reason, and back and chest are exposed because they take shirts off.

So, the back of the neck as well. And lips-women wear lipstick, men don't wear lipstick. So, lip is actually a really high risk area for men to develop skin cancer," Jackson explained.

Dr. Jackson specializes in skin of color and says it's a myth that people with darker skin are better protected.

"It's a big myth that people that have darker skin are protected," Jackson said.

"While that may be true that you will burn less frequently, it is not uncommon for people of darker skin to develop skin cancer

and the problem is, the patient may think it will never happen to them. Often, it occurs in places where the sun doesn't shine in darker skin people it often is overlooked or undiagnosed," Jackson said.

The free skin cancer screening runs:

Monday, May 23 from 9am-12

Skin Wellness Dermatology Associates

245 East NC Hwy, 54 Suite. 202

Durham, NC 27713

919-294-9440

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