Welcome to Check Up 13, in partnering with St. Vincent

WTHR, Channel 13, and Anne Marie Tiernon, co-anchor and health reporter, have partnered with Ascension St. Vincent, the nation's largest Catholic and not-for-profit health system, on an initiative called Check Up 13. The goal of the program is to educate and encourage Indiana residents to take a proactive role in their own health. Check Up 13 includes news stories that will air on the 13th of every month during the Health Beat segment. The program will highlight Ascension St. Vincent medical staff and focus on the health topic screening, event or promotion for that month.

Early detection is key. Schedule your FREE Skin Cancer Screening

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, more skin cancers are diagnosed in the United States each year than all other cancers combined – and the number of cases continues to rise.

Providers at St. Vincent recommend knowing your ‘ABCs’ to help detect early signs of melanoma, one of the most dangerous types of skin cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that melanoma in the United States for 2018 will lead to approximately 91,270 new cases and 9,320 deaths.

With that said, melanoma is also the most preventable and, if caught early, most treatable form of skin cancer. The earlier you find signs of cancer, the higher the likelihood of successful treatment. The good news is that if melanoma is detected early, before the cancer has penetrated the skin, the five-year survival rate is 99 percent. However, the survival rate for melanoma falls to 15 percent for people when the cancer has already spread.

Here are the ‘ABCs’ of skin cancer that should keep in mind when it comes to detecting signs of skin cancer:

• A – Asymmetry – One half of the mole/skin spot is unlike the other half.
• B – Border – An irregular, scalloped or poorly defined border.
• C – Color – An uneven colored mole/spot with shades of tan, brown or black, or is sometimes red, white, or blue.
• D – Diameter - The mole/spot is larger than 6 millimeters in diameter, about the size of pea.
• E – Evolving – One that changes size, shape, color, or looks different than the rest.

Everyone is at risk of skin cancer – regardless of age, gender or ethnicity. Remember to protect yourself daily from UV rays with sunscreen and clothing and conduct regular ‘ABCDE’ skin self-exams.

If you spot anything irregular – make an appointment with a dermatologist or participate in a FREE skin cancer screening like the one we’re offering through ‘Check Up 13’. A skin cancer screening is quick, easy and painless.

One in five Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime. Could you be one of them? Find out by registering on this page to schedule a FREE skin cancer screening on Monday, May 13.