CLEARWATER, Fla. (April 22, 2003)---Worried about a mole that looks suspicious and would like to have it checked out? On "Melanoma Monday", May 5, 2003, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Morton Plant Hospital and the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center will offer their 7th annual free skin cancer screenings. The screenings will take place at the Pier 60 Pavilion on Clearwater Beach.

"Melanoma Monday is an annual nationwide event to promote skin cancer awareness," said Tim McMahon, director of cancer, diabetes and wound services at Morton Plant Hospital. "Skin cancer develops from exposure to ultraviolet (UVA, UVB) rays from either sun exposure or tanning beds and it only takes one bad sunburn to double the risk of developing skin cancer later in life."

Both hospitals' physicians and other health care professionals will be screening for melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. In addition to a free skin cancer screening, people will receive sun safety information and sunscreen samples.

The following Morton Plant Hospital physicians and ARNPs will be provide the screenings: Wayne Anderson, M.D.; Peter Blumencranz, M.D.; Nikki Childers, ARNP; Debbie Covert, ARNP; Tammi Glass, M.D.; Elise Hazard, ARNP; George Hutter, M.D.; Adele Moreland, M.D.; Bart Rademaker, M.D.; George Rankin, M.D.; Marcus Riedhammer, M.D.; Virginia Schekorra, D.O.; Tammi Stewart, M.D.; Sam Stieglitz, M.D.; Alan Tralins, M.D.; and Caroline VanSant-Crowie, M.D. The Moffitt Cancer Center physicians will be Adil Daud, M.D. and Adam Riker, M.D.

According to the American Cancer Society's 2003 predictions, 54,200 individuals will be newly diagnosed with melanoma, 29,900 men and 24,300 women. "Florida ranks second for the highest number of melanoma cases in the nation, making skin cancer screenings in Florida essential," said McMahon.

In 2001, Morton Plant Hospital joined forces with H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute at the University of South Florida, Tampa to provide research and services for cancer patients.

Situated on the campus of the University of South Florida, the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute is a world-renowned cancer treatment and research facility. In 2001 the National Cancer Institute awarded it the status of a Comprehensive Cancer Center - in recognition of its excellence in research and contributions to clinical trials, prevention and cancer control. Additionally, Moffitt is a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

Established in 1916, Morton Plant Hospital is a 687-bed facility located dedicated to improving the health of all it serves through community-owned health services that set the standard for high quality, compassionate care. In 2002 Morton Plant was named one of America's Top 50 Hospitals, according to AARP Modern Maturity magazine, a 100 Top Hospital in the "Solucient 100 Top Hospitals: Cardiovascular Benchmarks for Success" study for the fourth consecutive year and was ranked as Solucient 100 Top Overall Hospital for the fourth time. Morton Plant Hospital is located at 300 Pinellas Street, Clearwater, Fla., 727-462-7000.

Contact: Phoebe Ochman/Beth Hardy

Morton Plant News Bureau

727-298-6199 Phone

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