The University of South Alabama Mitchell Cancer Institute will provide free screenings for skin cancer, diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure) on March 1, 2008 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the 6th Annual Open Charity Car Show at Christ United Methodist Church. The church is located at 6101 Grelot Road in West Mobile.

At the same time, the Mitchell Cancer Institute will ask participants to complete a short questionnaire about common cancer myths and cancer screenings (breast, skin, prostate, colon/rectum and skin).

"Community screenings such as this allow us to help people become more aware of prevention strategies that they can use to improve their health and or treat earlier. Prevention is the key to a more healthy life,” said Dr. Adam I. Riker, chief of surgical oncology at the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute. “As is the case with most cancers, the early detection of skin cancer, especially melanoma, will dramatically improve the overall outcome for individuals, as we are able to treat it at a much earlier stage,” he added.

This screening event is made possible through a grant from the Community Foundation of South Alabama (CFSA) to the Mitchell Cancer Institute. The Mobile County Public Health Department, under the direction of Dr. Bert Eichold, is also collaborating and assisting with screenings.