Free skin cancer screenings will once again be available at THE PLAYERS Championship this year, as Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offer the potentially life-saving screenings.
Dermatologists from the two facilities will conduct the screenings in a private, air-conditioned area of the adjoining MD Anderson fan zone and Baptist MD Anderson first aid center, situated near the merchandise tent behind No. 17. Screenings take approximately 10 minutes and will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. Appointments (https://skincancercheck.eventbrite.com) are available, but not required. Walk-ins are welcome.
This is the second year the MD Anderson centers in Jacksonville and Houston have teamed up to offer free skin cancer screenings. At last year’s PLAYERS Championship, more than 250 people received free screenings. This year, more physicians will be on hand to conduct the screenings in order to reduce wait times.
“Our mission is to eliminate cancer, and this takes many approaches,” said Thomas Buchholz, MD, executive vice president and physician-in-chief, MD Anderson. “As the official cancer center of the PGA TOUR, we have a unique and powerful platform to raise awareness of cancer prevention to hundreds of thousands of people. We have screened hundreds of players, caddies and fans at tournaments across the nation and look forward to providing this important service again.”
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States and one of the most preventable.
“The opportunity to educate the public on the importance of sun safety and cancer prevention is invaluable,” said Christopher Pezzi, MD, head of the division of surgery and surgeon-in-chief of Baptist MD Anderson. “Our collaboration with MD Anderson allows us to reach more people with these convenient services that make a difference in our local and national communities. Nearly half of those screened last year were referred to their doctor for follow-up.”
