McLaren Lapeer Region, part of statewide McLaren Health Care, as a result of its recent skin cancer screening event, identified several cases of potentially severe skin cancer. One of the most common forms of cancer, catching skin cancer in an early stage is vital in making treatment more effective and possibly lifesaving.
Of the 56 screenings performed at the free May 22 event, 31 attendees were referred for a more thorough diagnostic screening after physicians identified suspicious, potentially cancerous skin irregularities.
Additionally, seven attendees’ screenings positively identified squamous cell cancers, the second most common form of skin cancer.
“Finding suspected cancer cases and referring community members for additional care is the exact purpose of these screening events,” said Tim Vargas, McLaren Lapeer Region President and CEO. “We consider it a significant part of our responsibility to tend to the general and overall wellbeing of our community, and providing access to care services, including these non-invasive screenings, is a worthy undertaking, and we are grateful this event was able to help so many.”
Part of the statewide Karmanos Cancer Network, the screening was hosted at the Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Lapeer Region.
With more than half of those screened at the event requiring follow-up care, and as the sunny summer days ramp up, McLaren Lapeer Region oncologists urge everyone to take the proper safety precautions and to be mindful in skin abnormalities.
“Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer and potentially life-threatening, making early detection and awareness critical in halting the cancer’s progression,” said Dr. Sai Bikkina, an oncologist with the Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Lapeer Region. “Practicing sun safety, especially as we are entering the peak warm months, and being mindful and aware of any changes to your skin will increase the chances of early detection and beginning effective, timely treatment.”
Practice practical sun safety:
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Understand that the sun’s rays are at their strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
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Wear sunscreen when heading outdoors.
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Seek shade when it is available.
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Wear protective clothing, such a lightweight, long-sleeve shirt, pants, sunglasses, and a hat.
To spot skin cancer, follow “ABCDE”:
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Asymmetry — Part of a suspicious spot does not match the rest of the spot.
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Border — Edges of the spot are blurred, notched, or irregular.
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Color — The color of a spot is not consistent.
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Diameter — The size of a suspicious spot is larger than 1/4 of an inch in diameter, approximately the size of a pencil eraser.
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Evolving — The spot is regularly changing color, size, and shape.
To learn more about the cancer care capabilities of the Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Lapeer Region, visit mclaren.org/lapeerregion.
About McLaren Lapeer Region
McLaren Lapeer Region is a 222-bed acute care facility located in Lapeer, Michigan, and is the primary provider of health care services to Lapeer County and the surrounding area. McLaren Lapeer Region has received national recognition from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid for clinical excellence in orthopedics, pneumonia, congestive heart failure and surgical care. The facility maintains a verified Level II trauma designation and provides comprehensive care in a 29-bed Emergency Center along with specialized services for heart, cancer, orthopedic and general surgery services, physical medicine and rehabilitation, women’s services, wound care services and sleep disorders. Learn more at
mclaren.org/lapeerregion.
About McLaren Health Care
McLaren Health Care, headquartered in Grand Blanc, Michigan, is a $6.6 billion, fully integrated health care delivery system committed to quality, evidence-based patient care and cost efficiency. The McLaren system includes 13 hospitals in Michigan, ambulatory surgery centers, imaging centers, a 640-member employed primary and specialty care physician network, commercial and Medicaid HMOs covering more than 732,838 lives in Michigan and Indiana, home health, infusion and hospice providers, pharmacy services, a clinical laboratory network and a wholly owned medical malpractice insurance company. McLaren operates Michigan’s largest network of cancer centers and providers, anchored by the Karmanos Cancer Institute, a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers. McLaren has 28,000 full-, part-time and contracted employees and more than 113,000 network providers throughout Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. Learn more at mclaren.org.