FREE SKIN CANCER SCREENINGS

Free Skin Cancer Screenings, Saturday, May 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and local dermatologists and the Centra Alan B. Pearson Regional Cancer Center (located in Lynchburg at 1701 Thomson Drive) are offering free skin cancer screenings to the community. Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. When detected early and treated properly, even melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, can be curable. More than 1 million cases of highly curable basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year, according to the American Cancer Society.

Screenings will be conducted in private rooms by a dermatologist or other healthcare professionals with special expertise in detecting skin cancer. Screening reports will be given to the participant and sent to their physician.

If you haven't had your skin checked by your physician in the past year, please sign up for this important screening. It is important to catch skin cancer early, an important part of catching it early is skin cancer screenings. Your family physician or your dermatologist also can do these screenings for you. Sponsored by the Centra Foundation and local dermatologists.

Space is limited. To register, call 1.877.MDLINK1 (1.877.635.4651)

CANCER SURVIVORSHIP PROGRAM TO START APRIL 10

The Centra Alan B. Pearson Regional Cancer Center recognizes that survivorship is a very important part of one’s cancer journey. Each spring and fall, the oncology social worker facilitates a seven-week survivorship program at the Centra Alan B. Pearson Regional Cancer Center. This program is available to participants who have completed treatment and want to connect with other survivors while learning valuable tools for living as a cancer survivor. The kick off class is April 10 but you are welcome to call and join the second week. The discussion topics include:

 Week 1: The spiritual journey

Week 2: The importance of nutrition

Week 3: The importance of exercise/lymphedema signs and symptoms

Week 4: How to follow up with your physician after treatment

Week 5: Emotional health and well-being

Week 6: Sexuality after cancer

Week 7: Looking to the future

 The schedule may vary due to speaker availability. Session Start Dates: Spring – April 10; Fall – September 5. If you are interested in joining this group, please contact the oncology social worker, Tammy Anderson, at 434.200.6067.

CENTRA COMPREHENSIVE BREAST PROGRAM AWARDED KOMEN GRANT

 Congratulations to the Centra Comprehensive Breast Program, who has been awarded a $57,000 grant from the Virginia Blue Ridge Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Centra’s Comprehensive Breast Program (CBP) will help fulfill Komen’s goal of identifying gaps in breast health care and ensuring quality care through education, funding, and support for women in all stages of breast health. Through community education programs and health fairs, CBP’s focus is educating women about the importance of proper breast health. Secondly, they will assist underserved women in obtaining thorough mammogram testing at little or no cost, with an emphasis on obtaining diagnostic mammograms after a suspicious screening. Finally, CBP is there to support and navigate newly diagnosed women through their journey with breast cancer. With this Komen grant, we will be able to more positively impact the racial disparity among the underserved and under or non-insured women in the Central Virginia Area.

Recently diagnosed with Prostate Cancer?

Centra uses a multi-disciplinary approach towards treating prostate cancer. A patient and his family will meet with several members of the Centra Prostate Health Center team to determine the best approach to treat his disease. The Center's team has vast experience in the options available in the treatment of prostate cancer, with proven quality in outcomes equaling some of the best centers in the country.

 Prostate Cancer Brochure