The Dallas Cowboys Team Up with the American Academy of Dermatology to Fight Skin Cancer

IRVING, Texas, Sept. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Academy of Dermatology (Academy) is excited to announce their partnership with the Dallas Cowboys in an effort to raise awareness of skin cancer. Through this partnership, the American Academy of Dermatology will host free SPOT me™ skin cancer screenings at the Dallas Cowboys home opener on Sunday, September 7 and at the ensuing Rally Day on Monday, September 8 at AT&T Stadium. 

SPOT me™ is an educational campaign designed to inform the public, particularly men, about the dangers and risks of skin cancer, and encourage people to get screened by a board-certified dermatologist. As a part of the SPOT me™ campaign, the Academy is inviting fans to receive free skin cancer screenings and learn how to reduce their risks of this preventable disease at the Dallas Cowboys home opener and Rally Day. The first 300 fans to get screened on Sunday will also receive complimentary tickets to Monday's Rally Day event. 

"I am proud that the Cowboys are teaming up with the American Academy of Dermatology to educate our fans about skin cancer," said Kelli Finglass, director of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. "Skin health is a priority for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, and I hope our fans take advantage of this valuable opportunity to receive a free screening and to learn how to prevent and detect skin cancer."

Dallas residents have reason to freshen up on their skin cancer knowledge, as nationwide, Texas is projected to have the 5th highest number of new cases of melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer – with an estimated 3,420 cases expected in 2014. Men in particular need to be aware, as men over 50 are at greater risk of developing the disease compared to the rest of the general public. By age 60, twice as many men develop melanoma than women of the same age, and by 80, there are three times more men with melanoma than women. A recent survey by the Academy found that while more than 90% of American men know something about skin cancer, only six in 10 (61%) know how to detect signs of the disease on their skin, and even fewer actually visit a doctor for annual skin cancer screenings (18%).

"It is estimated that one in five Americans will get skin cancer in their lifetime," said board-certified dermatologist Carolyn Kim, MD, FAAD. "However, skin cancer can be effectively treated if it is diagnosed early. That's why it's so important for people to learn how to spot skin cancer and get screened for skin cancer early and regularly."

To learn more about skin cancer prevention and detection and to find a free SPOT me™ skin cancer screening near you, visit www.spotme.org.

About SPOT me™ 
In order to continue to increase public awareness of melanoma and expand the number of free skin cancer screenings across the country, Bristol-Myers Squibb donated its melanoma awareness campaign, Melanoma Exposed™, to the Academy. Bristol-Myers Squibb's donation of Melanoma Exposed™, provided through a charitable grant, includes a five-year contribution to the Academy, totaling more than $4 million. The Academy has integrated the Melanoma Exposed™ program into its national skin cancer screening program and is re-branding all of its screenings as SPOT me™, a part of the Academy's larger SPOT Skin Cancer™ initiative.

Since 1985, Academy dermatologists have conducted more than 2.4 million free skin cancer screenings and have detected nearly 238,000 suspicious lesions, including more than 26,500 suspected melanomas. To learn more about the SPOT me™ campaign and to find free skin cancer screenings near you, visit www.spotme.org.

American Academy of Dermatology 
Headquartered in Schaumburg, Ill., the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy), founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of more than 17,000 physicians worldwide, the Academy is committed to: advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin, hair and nails. For more information, contact the Academy at 1-888-462-DERM (3376) or www.aad.org. Follow the Academy on Facebook (American Academy of Dermatology), YouTube (Academy of Dermatology) or Twitter (@AADskin).  

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SOURCE The American Academy of Dermatology