Free Skin Care Screenings for First Responders

Firefighters have not just an increased risk of skin cancer, but also an increased risk of melanoma, the most serious type. That’s why Ozarks Dermatology Specialists and the American Academy of Dermatology are hosting free skin cancer screenings for firefighters throughout June.

In 2024, Ozarks Dermatology Specialists hosted the event for the first time, and it worked to catch a case of malignant melanoma.

Jeff Duckworth with Branson Fire and Rescue spent 35 years as a firefighter and thought it would be a good idea to get checked out. His screening showed the most dangerous form of skin cancer, but since it was caught so early, he was treated and is now cancer-free.

Mike Novak, Division Chief of Training and Safety with Branson Fire and Rescue and Duckworth’s colleague, says he’s heading in for a screening this year and encourages his department members to do the same.

“Our gear is really helps protect us from thermal types of exposures, obviously fire and high heat conditions,” Novak said. “The one thing it does to a firefighter is it makes us sweat a lot more, too, opening up our pores and putting us at a greater risk of those cancer exposures just because our pores are more open than they are right now.”

For others who might not think they need to head in, dermatologists recommend taking the opportunity because you never know what might be there.

“It’s never a bad idea just to have a preventative check,” said Erin Lewis, a nurse practitioner, “because we know what we’re looking for, and so it might be a spot that you’ve never had any concerns about and we might say, ‘Oh, you know, we don’t like the looks of this. We might need to biopsy it.’ I would rather be on the safe side. I would rather catch something early than let it go.”

Appointments are available June 12 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and June 16 from 12:00 to 3:30 p.m. at 3808 S. Greystone Court and on June 27 from 11:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 4350 S. National. The sessions are by appointment only. To schedule, please call 417-889-3332.

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