County Department of Health, Cape May City Offer Free Sun Safety Checks

CAPE MAY – Hundreds of Cape May County beachgoers and lifeguards will be glad that they headed for the beach on Sat., July 17, according to a release.
Cape May County Department of Health and the City of Cape May are participating in the statewide “Choose Your Cover” initiative to provide beachgoers with information on how to have fun outdoors while protecting their skin and provide free skin cancer screenings. Information and screenings will be available beachfront at the Cape May lifeguard headquarters – located at Beach Drive and Grant Street between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. (rain date is July 18).
In addition to the skin cancer screenings, participants may receive free sunscreen and a wealth of vital information about sun smart precautions to protect their skin.
“County residents and tourists will learn how to have fun in the sun while protecting their skin through five sun protection options: seeking shade, covering-up, putting on a hat, wearing sunglasses, and rubbing on sunscreen. Prudent protection from too much sunlight is fully compatible with the enjoyment of the County’s beaches,” said Freeholder Thornton.
A “Choose Your Cover 2010” volunteer dermatologist, and support staff from Cape May County’s Health Department will combine their expertise to protect beachgoers from skin cancer risks at the beach. Dr. Coyle Connolly, a Board Certified Dermatologist will provide a free skin cancer screening exams — a simple test that can detect signs of skin cancer — pre-registration is not required.
The purpose of “Choose Your Cover” is to educate the public statewide about sun safety, prevention and early detection of skin cancer. Nearly 2,600 people are expected to participate in this annual event, making it the largest freestanding skin cancer screening in New Jersey’s history. The Choose Your Cover program has screened over 1900 participants since its inception and referred more than 500 people for further evaluation.
Of those participants, 176 skin cancer diagnoses have been made – 62 of which were melanoma, the most serious and potentially deadly form of skin cancer. According to the Office of Cancer Control, Cape May County has one of the highest incidences of melanoma in the state. The “Choose Your Cover” program has been recognized by the Centers for Disease Control for its lifesaving efforts in early detection and impact on sun safe behaviors aimed at reducing the incidence of melanoma and other skin cancers in the state.
For information about Cape May County’s Choose Your Cover initiative, contact the Cape May County Department of Health at 463-6521 or online at cmchealth.net.