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Here’s what to know about skin cancer, prevention

Dr. Charles Dunn guests on Breakfast with Bridgett

ORLANDO, Fla. – Dr. Charles Dunn with Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery on Friday stopped in on Breakfast with Bridgett to talk about skin cancer awareness and prevention.

One in five Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime, but 50% are never detected by patients. That’s why professional skin checks are so important. As part of Melanoma Monday, on May 6, several Advanced Dermatology locations will offer free skin checks.

“I think routine skin checks are important. The truth is if you have skin, you can get skin cancer. Skin cancer doesn’t care what your age is, what your size is, what your ethnicity is, what your skin color is or what your bank account is. People of all shapes, sizes, and ethnicities get skin cancer, so it’s important to get skin checks with your local dermatologist,” Dunn said.

“If caught early, survival rates are more than 99% versus if caught late or it spreads, the survival statistics drop down into the 30s,” he said.

While prevention and early detection are most important, Dunn said there are also many promising immunotherapies, experimental vaccines and clinical trials making strides in the fight against skin cancer.

To find locations near you offering free skin checks, click here.

Watch the full video at the top of this story.

You can listen to every episode of Florida’s Fourth Estate in the media player below: