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Media Advisory: UCSF to Offer Free Skin Cancer Screenings in Chinatown

By Kevin Eisenmann

What: The UCSF Department of Dermatology, in partnership with the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and the Chinatown Public Health Clinic, will offer free skin cancer screenings in Chinatown to mark National Skin Cancer Awareness Month. UCSF faculty and residents will perform the screenings. Translation services will be provided.

Early detection is key to diagnosing potential cases of melanoma. No appointment is necessary and screenings will take approximately 30 minutes.

When:
Saturday, May 7, 2011
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Photo and interview opportunities for media 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where:
Chinatown Public Health Center
1490 Mason Street @ Broadway
San Francisco, CA 94133

Why: Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, with over one million people diagnosed each year. Anyone can develop skin cancer, regardless of their skin color or general health.

  • Skin cancer and melanoma account for about 50 percent of all types of cancers diagnosed;
  • Skin cancer is one of the more preventable types of cancer;
  • More than 90 percent of skin cancer is caused by excessive exposure to the sun;
  • One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime;
  • Each hour, one person dies from skin cancer;
  • Asian American melanoma patients have a greater tendency than Caucasians to have advanced disease at diagnosis.

Photo and video opportunities:

  • David Chiu, President, San Francisco Board of Supervisors (11 a.m.)
  • Albert Yu, MD, Director, Chinatown Public Health Center
  • Siegrid Yu, MD, UCSF Department of Dermatology
  • Individuals undergoing screenings if consented by UCSF on site

Media contact: Kevin Eisenmann, UCSF News Office, 415-476-2557.
Day of event cell phone: 415-317-4203.

The San Francisco Department of Public Health has provided UCSF with use of the Chinatown Public Health Center to conduct the screenings.

About UCSF

UCSF is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. https://www.ucsf.edu/

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