‘Biggest Little Skin Cancer Screening’ Moves to Reno Public Market for May 14 FREE Community Event

The third annual Biggest Little Skin Cancer Screening returns to Reno May 14 with a new location at the Reno Public Market, 299 E. Plumb Lane in Reno. The popular community event has drawn about 200 people annually to get FREE skin cancer checks from local dermatologists. The event runs from 3:30-7 p.m. and anyone is invited to attend, especially those who don’t have health insurance or can’t normally take off work to go to the doctor.

Local dermatologist Dr. Whitney Hovenic and other doctors from Skin Cancer and Dermatology Institute will provide skin checks at the event on a first-come, first-served basis. If a skin cancer or other suspicious lesion is found, a team on-site will assist individuals to get follow up care.

Previous skin check events have resulted in dozens of people getting follow-up care and more than two dozen “likely” skin cancers found, including melanomas, the deadliest type of skin cancer.

“Anyone who has skin can get skin cancer, and with more than 300 days of sunshine here in the Truckee Meadows, we have a little higher risk of developing skin cancer if we’re not extra vigilant with sunscreen or other preventive measures,” Dr. Hovenic said. “The great thing is that if we find abnormal growths and cancerous lesions early, we can easily treat them, sometimes right in the office.”

Nevada Cancer Coalition has timed the event to fall within Skin Cancer Awareness Month, which happens every May. NCC has been active in sun safety and skin cancer prevention for more than a decade, launching the Sun Smart Nevada and Sun Smart Schools program combining community education, free sunscreen, and skin cancer early detection.

Those who attend should wear loose-fitting clothing so doctors can easily check sun-exposed skin, such as the neck, arms, legs, and back. Organizers encourage those who work or spend a lot of time outdoors, such as landscapers, first responders, construction workers, and outdoor athletes, to attend. However, anyone who hasn’t had a skin check or has a spot they’d like to check out should also attend the event.

Depending on how many people come to get checked, registrations may end at 6:30 p.m. so doctors can wrap up the final checks before the event ends. Those who get checked will also receive a sun safety swag bag, while supplies last, with free sunscreen and a handy reference guide for spotting suspicious moles.

Preventing Skin Cancer

In addition to wearing a broad spectrum, SPF 30 or greater sunscreen, people can reduce the risk of skin cancer by:

• Wearing sun protective clothing such as long sleeves and pants.
• Adding sun-smart accessories like a wide-brimmed hat to protect the scalp, ears, nose, neck and shoulders, and wearing UV-protective sunglasses.
• Seeking shade during peak sun hours, generally from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Avoiding tanning beds. Tanning beds are NOT safer than the sun and in fact are much more dangerous. Indoor tanning emits UV radiation in amounts 10-15 times higher than the sun at peak intensity.

What to Look For

Nevadans can perform regular skin checks on themselves by looking at all areas of their skin (a mirror and a partner are always helpful with this) to look for any changes in their skin such as moles or lesions that have changed color, increased in size or become itchy or oozing. The basics to watch for are moles or spots that follow the ABCDEFs:

• Asymmetry – moles that are an irregular shape.
• Border – moles that have a ragged rather than smooth border.
• Color – moles that have several colors or have changed color.
• Diameter – moles that are larger than the size of a pencil eraser.
• Evolving – moles that have changed over time in any of the above-mentioned ways.
• Feeling – moles that itch or burn.

For more information on sun safety, skin cancer prevention and early detection, and Sun Smart Nevada, visit SunSmartNevada.org.