This summer, the Rhode Island Department of Health, in collaboration with Brown Dermatology, is offering free skin cancer screenings at various state parks and beaches. The initiative, called Skin Check, will take place on five dates between July 12 and August 17. The first 100 attendees at each event will receive private screenings from dermatology doctors and residents without needing to register, and those requiring further medical attention will receive referrals to dermatologists. Dr. Jerry Larkin, the new director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, highlighted the importance of these screenings in detecting potential cancers, even for those who regularly use sunscreen.
Dr. John C. Kawaoka of Brown’s Warren Alpert Medical School emphasized that everyone, regardless of skin tone, is at risk for skin cancer. He noted that past screenings have identified numerous cases of skin cancer, including melanoma, often unknown to the individuals screened. Since 2016, over 3,200 people have been screened, and more than 230 suspected cancers have been detected. Despite the common belief that sunnier states have higher skin cancer rates, New England, including Rhode Island, has notably high diagnoses. A study published in the International Journal of Cancer in 2020 revealed high melanoma rates in colder northern states like Vermont and New Hampshire.
Rhode Island's melanoma incidence is slightly lower than the national average, with 21.3 cases per 100,000 people compared to 22.5 per 100,000 nationwide. However, within the state, rates vary significantly, with less ethnically diverse areas showing higher rates. For instance, Newport County had a melanoma rate of 36.9 per 100,000 people from 2016 to 2020, while Providence County had 16.2 per 100,000 people. The Partnership to Reduce Cancer in Rhode Island, which includes the Lifespan Community Health Institute and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, plays a crucial role in providing these screenings. Megan Daniel, the Partnership’s executive director, praised the long history of the Skin Check program and its impact on the community by offering essential services to reduce the cancer burden.
Free skin cancer screening dates
- Friday, July 12: Scarborough Beach North, Narragansett, 1-3 p.m.
- Saturday, July 20: Roger Wheeler State Park, Narragansett, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Friday, Aug. 2: Scarborough State Beach North, Narragansett, 1-3 p.m.
- Friday, Aug. 9: Easton’s Beach, Newport, 1-3 p.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 17: Lincoln Woods State Park, Lincoln, 11 a.m.-1 p.m
