Summers are full of many activities like spending time at beach, by the pool and some other activities which cool your senses. If you get involved in such activities, work outdoors and play outdoor sports, you have an opportunity to get a free skin cancer screening at Saint Anne’s Hospital.

Saint Anne’s 20th annual free screenings will be held on Wednesday, May 27, and Thursday, May 28, from 5 to 6:30 pm at the Hudner Oncology Center, corner of Osborn and Forest streets. The screenings will involve a board-certified dermatologist. The skin cancer screening is held annually in association with the American Academy of Dermatology.

Several cases of skin cancers have been revealed in earlier screenings held at Saint Anne’s. But in most of the cases, skin cancers could be cured, if detected in the early stages. Basal cell cancer is among the most common malignant skin tumors. It generally develops on the face and ears. Squamous cell cancer usually appears on those areas of the body that are more sun-exposed like ear, face, neck, lip, and hand; and melanoma.

Skin cancer, together with melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer, is the most common of all cancers, and is responsible for nearly half of all cancers. It is more common than cancers of the prostate, breast, colon, lung, uterus, ovaries and pancreas combined.

In the US, 3.5 million cases of basal and squamous cell skin cancer are diagnosed each year. According to ACS, melanoma will lead to over 73,000 cases of skin cancer in 2015. Over 1,300 Massachusetts and 180 Rhode Island residents will be diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in 2015. However, the relieving part is that skin cancer can be found and treated early.