Cancer

Spectrum Health Offers Free Skin Cancer Screening

Available at Three Urgent Care Centers

As the summer season approaches, Spectrum Health is reminding people that sun exposure comes with some risk. 

Spectrum Health will hold free skin cancer screenings on Tuesday, May 10 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at three of its urgent care centers:

Alpine Urgent Care Center
2332 Alpine Ave. NW, Grand Rapids

South Pavilion Urgent Care Center
80 68th St. SE, Grand Rapids

Broadmoor Urgent Care Center
3350 Broadmoor Ave. SE, Kentwood

People who do not have a dermatologist and have moles that they are concerned about are encouraged to take advantage of this focused screening. There is no charge for this event and no appointment is necessary.

There are three main types of skin cancer – basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the world, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Approximately 2 million cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed this year in the United States. The Michigan Department of Community Health reports that almost 2000 Michigan residents were diagnosed with melanoma in 2007.

More information about Spectrum Health’s free skin cancer screenings is available by calling 616.486.6184 or visiting www.spectrumhealth.org/cancer.

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system in West Michigan offering a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health Hospital Group, which includes nine hospitals and 180 service sites; the Spectrum Health Medical Group and West Michigan Heart, physician groups totaling more than 600 providers; and Priority Health, a health plan with 625,000 members. Spectrum Health is West Michigan’s largest employer with more than 17,700 employees. The organization provided $115.9 million in community benefit during its 2010 fiscal year. In 2010, Spectrum Health was named a Top 10 Health System by Thomson Reuters.