Residents from the Tulane University Department of Dermatology will conduct a free skin cancer screening on Wednesday, September 22, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Clearview Mall in Metairie. The young doctors will examine exposed parts of the body and provide free educational information.

The incidence of skin cancer in the U.S. is rising dramatically, yet most Americans don't know the warning signs of one of the most common types of skin cancer. Caused by cumulative sun exposure, actinic keratosis affects as many as 10 million Americans. It appears as rough, red, scaly patches, crusts or sores on the top layer of the skin, which many people ignore. Left untreated, actinic keratosis may progress to squamous cell carcinoma, the second leading cause of skin cancer deaths in the United States.

The screening event is made possible by an educational grant from 3M Pharmaceuticals. 3M Pharmaceuticals is partnering with dermatology residency programs nationwide to heighten public awareness of actinic keratosis and skin cancer.

For more information about the free skin cancer screening, call the Tulane Call Center at 504.988.5300 and press the * key,