Dermatologists raise awareness for Melanoma Monday, free screenings available [Video]

SPRING HILL — May 6 is Melanoma Monday.

Dermatologists are trying to raise awareness about Melanoma as cases have increased over the years.

“I’ve had numbers of skin cancer. Melanomas, you name them, I’ve had them,” said Hernando County resident and Melanoma survivor Bernard Calhoun.

Calhoun takes getting his skin checked seriously.

“I come in every three months, get a full body exam and usually there’s a couple that have to come off,” said Calhoun.

About 9,500 people in the United States are diagnosed with skin cancer every day, that’s according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

This year, it’s estimated that 200,340 melanomas will be diagnosed, and 8,290 people will die of melanoma.

“I’ve had a couple of acquaintances that died because they didn’t come in, and by the time they did it was too late,” said Calhoun.

That’s why dermatologists encourage people to check their skin regularly.

“Early detection is so important in identifying those things that are needed to treat melanoma early,” …