Beachgoers Can Get Free Cancer Screenings at Pier 60 July 27
Beachgoers can get screened for skin and head and neck cancers all at no charge, thanks to the return of Moffitt Cancer Center screening teams to Pier 60 on Clearwater Beach July 27. The annual screening event will be held at the pavilion near the boardwalk from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. No appointments are necessary.
Moffitt experts from the Cutaneous Oncology Department’s Mole Patrol and the Head and Neck-Endocrine Oncology Department will be on site screening anyone who stops by for a checkup. It’s an annual tradition that has elevated awareness of skin and head and neck cancers to the community over the past two decades.
A woman gets screened for head and neck cancers at Pier 60 in 2023.
“Each year we screen hundreds of people and there are plenty of times where we find something suspicious,” said Vernon Sondak, MD, chair of the Cutaneous Oncology Department.
In 2023, Moffitt’s Mole Patrol screened nearly 190 people at the pier and reported approximately 50 suspicious findings, including one on Canadian visitor Sergio Iacoe’s lower back.
“I am happy they located it and they gave me some great advice on what to do when I return home,” he said.
At the same event, head and neck cancer screenings were performed on 148 people and volunteers found 17 suspicious findings.
It’s a simple process that can save you time, money and, most importantly, your life.
“We examine the mouth for lesions and ulcers and feel the sides of the neck and face for any lumps,” said Caitlin McMullen, MD, a surgeon in Moffitt’s Head and Neck – Endocrine Oncology Department.
Each year, more than 55,000 Americans are diagnosed with head, neck and oral cancers. The majority are caused by tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption or ultraviolet light exposure. And with the recent increase in oral cancer diagnoses related to human papillomavirus infections, early detection is more important than ever.
Skin cancer screeners examine a beachgoer in 2023.
Skin cancer is also increasingly common, especially in Florida. Experts estimate that this year alone, more than 5.5 million people will be diagnosed with a form of skin cancer. Prevention is best, of course, including sunscreen, UV protectant clothing and wide brimmed hats, but early detection is also an important tool to ensure you stay healthy.
“We do love our Florida sun, but we have to remember to protect ourselves,” Sondak said. “It only takes a few minutes to get screened and it is noninvasive and painless. If there is a need for privacy, we are set up for that as well. We are here to help.”
If screeners find an indication of cancer at the event, they will recommend that the person screened see their dermatologist or general practitioner for a follow up. If that person so chooses, they can also schedule an appointment at Moffitt.
