Video: Olay and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) Announce 'Skin Cancer Takes Friends' FREE Skin Cancer Screenings

CINCINNATI (Map) - CINCINNATI, May 6 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of Skin Cancer Awareness Month this May, Olay (http://www.olay.com) and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) (http://www.asds.net) have joined forces for the fourth year for "Skin Cancer Takes Friends," a nationwide free skin cancer screening program that encourages Americans to bring their friends to a participating dermasurgeon's office for a free skin cancer screening. Together with "Desperate Housewives" star Marcia Cross, Olay and the ASDS are working to raise awareness about the importance of prevention and detection in the fight against skin cancer.

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More than one million Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year. This is an astounding number for one of the few cancers where the cause of the majority of cases is known: excessive sun exposure. While some people are more at risk than others, anyone, regardless of skin color or age, can develop skin cancer.

Someone dies of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, nearly every hour. Yet when detected and treated early, it is almost 100 percent curable. Women ages 20-29 are particularly vulnerable, with melanoma ranking as the second most common form of cancer in the age group. Often the symptoms of skin cancer are elusive to those who do not know what to look for. As the incidence of skin cancer continues to rise, Olay and the ASDS urge women to join the fight against this growing silent killer by sharing these shocking statistics with loved ones, conducting monthly self-screenings and scheduling a free screening with a dermatologic surgeon (http://www.asds.net/sctf.aspx) for themselves and a friend. Regular screenings combined with daily protection from the sun's harmful UV rays are essential to avoid falling victim to melanoma.

"Too many lives are lost because of failure to identify skin cancer until it has progressed to a more dangerous state. A dermatologic surgeon can identify and treat the disease in its earliest stages, and potentially save lives," says Darrell S. Rigel, M.D., President of the ASDS. "During last year's Skin Cancer Takes Friends program, more than 300 dermatologic surgeons in 200 cities across 45 states performed over 9,000 free screenings. Everyone, even those with no family history of skin cancer, is at risk for this disease and should have an annual screening."

For the second year, actress Marcia Cross (http://www.skincancertakesfriends.org/sctf08/getVideosAndArticles.jsp) joins in the effort to raise awareness about the risks of skin cancer based on her personal experiences with the disease. Marcia Cross is dedicated to helping spread the word about this worthwhile program, and about the importance of sun protection and regular screenings in the fight against skin cancer. She will appear in the Skin Cancer Takes Friends national print advertising, discuss the program on national television and will be featured in promotional materials throughout the course of the campaign.

"Having had two family members stricken with melanoma, I've seen first- hand how widespread the disease really is and know that early detection can truly save lives," says the Emmy-nominated actress. "I feel blessed to have the notoriety that enables me to speak out and be heard on behalf of skin cancer awareness, an issue I'm extremely passionate about. I want to encourage everyone to schedule regular screenings and wear SPF 15 or higher every day." (http://www.olay.com/ca_en/boutique/complete/)

To find a dermatologic surgeon offering free screenings in your area, visit http://www.skincancertakesfriends.org, or http://www.asds.net.

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About ASDS

With more than 5,000 members, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, founded in 1970, is the largest specialty organization in the world exclusively representing dermasurgeons - board-certified physicians who are specifically trained to treat the health, function and appearance of the skin and soft tissue with both medically necessary and cosmetic procedures, using both surgical and non-surgical methods. For more information on medical or cosmetic skin procedures and referrals to ASDS members, please contact the ASDS Consumer Hotline, 1-800-441-ASDS (2737), during weekday business hours or log on at http://www.asds.net.