Fly Creek, NY–For over two decades the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH) has been teaching rural farming communities the importance of sun safety. It is estimated that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime. Outdoor occupations such as farming increase a person’s risk for developing skin cancer due to the prolonged exposure to the harmful UV rays of the sun.

Early detection is vital in treatment, and early detection is the primary aim this fall at the Covered Bridge Garden Reception Hall, in Unadilla, NY when NYCAMH will hold a free skin cancer screening. In addition to the skin cancer screening, free flu vaccinations and information on personal protective equipment will be available.
With a successful program that has had boast from participants such as “This is a great service, I hope we are able to keep it going” and “my husband would not have had his skin checked, if it weren’t for this screening, here today,” we are able to say we have successfully screened thousands of participants.
Not only is the program well received, it saves lives. In 2011, Paul Storey took advantage of a skin cancer screening clinic offered by NYCAMH at Empire Farm Days in upstate New York. As a result, he was later diagnosed with melanoma, had surgery and is cancer-free. “I have NYCAMH to thank for that. So, from a farm machinery salesman from Exeter, Ontario, thank you all so very, very much! I am forever grateful.”
According to the American Cancer Society even though skin cancer is the most common of all cancers, most skin cancers have the advantage of being slow to grow, easy to examine and treat, especially when detected early. Join us at the first Annual Rural Farming Community Skin Cancer Screening at the Covered Bridge Garden Reception Hall, in Unadilla, NY, on Saturday November 2nd with screenings from 9-12 and 1-3pm. Appointments are appreciated but walk-ins welcome. Please call Samantha today to make an appointment at (800)343-7527 extension 292.