The Univeristy Medical Center Brackenridge will hold its 23rd Annual Free Skin Cancer Screening from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 1.

Screening exams will be conducted by local dermatologists who are volunteering their time. First come, first served.

Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. When detected early and treated properly, even melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer is curable. According to the American Cancer Society, more than one million cases of highly curable basal cell or squamous cell skin cancers will be diagnosed in the U.S. In 2009, estimates were that more than 68,000 people would be diagnosed with melanoma, nearly 4,000 in Texas alone.  It was predicted that melanoma would be the fifth most common cancer in men and sixth most common malignancy in women nationwide. An estimated 8,600 people would die from melanoma in the U.S. in 2009. Men have a 1 in 39 chance of developing invasive melanoma during their lifetime, with women a 1 in 58 chance.

Of the 380 persons examined during the 2009 Screening, 149 (39 percent) had an abnormal finding that needed physician follow-up. This included 45 presumptive skin cancers, 7 of which were likely melanomas. Another 23 participants were found to have dysplastic nevi, a type of mole that can be a precursor to melanoma.