NORWAY – Stephens Memorial Hospital and the Maine Chapter of the American Cancer Society teamed up to offer a skin damage screening on June 19 at the SMH Health Information Library. More than 40 people attended the complimentary educational presentation by Debbie Trask from the Maine Chapter of the American Cancer Society. Trask demonstrated a skin analyzer which showed participants the amount of damage the sun can cause to the skin.

“Exposure to the sun is a risk factor for skin cancer, which if not detected early can be fatal. We hope that this event provided a service to the community by helping the attendees understand the potential seriousness,” said Deb Clark, hospital librarian.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the number of skin cancer cases has increased in the United States. More than 1 million cases of basal cell or squamous cell cancer were diagnosed in 2002. The most serious form of skin cancer is malignant melanoma, diagnosed in 53,600 persons in 2002. Malignant melanoma causes more than 75 percent of all deaths from skin cancer.

For more information regarding how to reduce your risk of skin cancer, contact Clark in the SMH Health Information Library at 743-1562 extension 323.