Moffitt Brings Cancer Screenings Back to Pier 60
CLEARWATER BEACH, Fla. (July 26, 2021) — Moffitt Cancer Center’s Mole Patrol® and Head & Neck screening teams will be at Pier 60 in Clearwater Beach on July 30.
Moffitt’s Cutaneous Oncology and Head and Neck Oncology teams screened more than 200 people at the 2021 event and hope to see even more beachgoers Saturday when screenings return from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
“Our goal each year is to find areas of concern and get those issues evaluated as soon as possible,” said Dr. Vernon Sondak, chair of the Department of Cutaneous Oncology. “Getting screened at the pier makes a lot of sense because many people are already in beachwear and our screeners can offer a thorough skin and head and neck exam. Of course, if there is a need for screening an area in privacy, we can provide that as well.”
Head and neck cancer screenings are painless and quick, just like the skin cancer screenings. It takes just a couple of minutes for trained professionals to look into the mouth and throat and feel the neck. These screenings are also free and there is no appointment required.
“For head and neck screenings, we examine the mouth for lesions and ulcers and feel the sides of the face and the neck for any lumps,” said Dr. Caitlin McMullen, surgeon in the Department of Head and Neck – Endocrine Oncology.
This is the fourth time the two Moffitt programs have teamed up to offer the service. Both will use the space at the pavilion, and the health care team will again follow COVID safety protocols to protect those being screened.
Head and neck screeners can also look in the ears and nose for anything concerning. It’s a noninvasive process that can give attendees peace of mind or alert them to the need for a more thorough exam later.
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.
One in five Americans will develop some type of skin cancer. This year alone, doctors will diagnose nearly 5.5 million people with the disease, which is why it’s important to stay on top of screenings.
“Early detection saves lives,” Sondak said. “These screenings are noninvasive and painless, and skin cancers, including melanoma, are right there on the surface and that means we have the opportunity to find them early.”
WHAT: Moffitt Cancer Center’s Skin Cancer and Head & Neck Screening Event
WHEN: Saturday, July 30, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: Clearwater Beach Pier 60
COST: Free and no appointment necessary
VIDEO: For b-roll from previous Pier 60 events, click here.
About Moffitt Cancer Center
Moffitt is dedicated to one lifesaving mission: to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer. The Tampa-based facility is one of only 53 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, a distinction that recognizes Moffitt’s scientific excellence, multidisciplinary research, and robust training and education. Moffitt’s expert nursing staff is recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center with Magnet® status, its highest distinction. With more than 7,800 team members, Moffitt has an economic impact in the state of $2.4 billion. For more information, call 1-888-MOFFITT (1-888-663-3488), visit MOFFITT.org, and follow the momentum on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
