Mission Health screens more than 360 people for skin and oral cancer

Press release

From Mission Health

Asheville, N.C. (May 3, 2013) – More than 360 people in the Asheville area have a better picture of their overall health as a result of the Mission Health skin and oral cancer screening held on Saturday, April 20 at the Asheville Mall. A total of 10 dermatologists, 7 dentists and 34 volunteers worked the event and screened 361 people for skin and oral cancers.

“We were thrilled to see the community have such high participation in the screening,” Elizabeth D. Westly, MD, Dermatologist at Asheville Dermatology Center said. “As caregivers, our mission is to educate patients and raise awareness about the importance of disease prevention. This screening was a powerful step in that direction. It is humbling to know that more than 360 people walked away from the screening knowing if they are at immediate risk for cancer and, equally important, with awareness of how to prevent cancer.”

The skin and oral cancer screening is just one of the many prevention education events Mission Health provides to the community for free each year. Participants at this screening had the opportunity of being examined by both a dentist and a dermatologist. This year, dermatologists screened 265 people and identified four possible melanomas. Dentists screened 96 people, 16 of whom were urged to follow up with either an oral surgeon or an ear, nose and throat specialist, depending on the problem that was identified.

“We screened almost 100 more participants than we saw at last year’s screening event,” Leslie L. Verner, RN, BSN, OCN, CCRP, CBCN, Cancer Research/Outreach Nurse at Mission Health said. “Outreach and education are important methods we are using to improve the health and wellness of our community. Thank you to all of our wonderful caregivers and volunteers for making this screening a success.”

The following dermatologists and dentists volunteered at the screening:
• Rocky Bacelieri, MD
• Mark Cobb, MD
• David Cogburn, MD
• Duncan Dorris, MD
• Mark Hutchin, MD
• Michael Loosemore, MD
• Lisa Nurre, MD
• Daniel Smith, MD
• Marie Ventre, MD
• Elizabeth Westly, MD
• Barry C. Duncan, DMD
• Samuel L. Hayes, DDS
• Sapna Hayes, DDS
• Koffi Kouadio, DDS
• Alex Pence, DDS
• J. Garnett Ramsbottom III, DMD
• Stephanie Sabatini, DDS

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. The American Dental Association predicts that almost 42,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or throat cancer this year.

About Mission Health
Mission Health, based in Asheville, N.C., is the state’s sixth-largest health system and the region’s only not-for-profit, independent community hospital system governed and managed exclusively in western North Carolina. Mission Health was recognized as one of the nation’s Top 15 Health Systems in 2012 and 2013 by Thomson Reuters and Truven Health Analytics, respectively. Mission Health is one of only two medium-sized health systems to receive this recognition in 2012 and 2013, and the only health system in North Carolina to achieve that distinction.
Mission Health, which traces its roots in the region back to 1885, operates five hospitals, numerous outpatient and surgery centers and the region’s only dedicated Level II trauma center. Its medical staff consists of more than 1,000 physicians and is certified in more than 50 medical specialties and sub- specialties. Mission Health has seven Centers of Excellence: Cancer, Heart, Mission Children’s Hospital, Neurosciences, Orthopedics, Trauma and Women’s Health. Mission Hospital, located in Asheville, is the system’s flagship hospital and is licensed for 730 beds. It is the regional referral center for tertiary and quaternary care. It also includes Mission Children’s Hospital – the region’s only children’s hospital. Other Mission Health member hospitals include Angel Medical Center in Franklin, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine, McDowell Hospital in Marion and Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard. With approximately 8,800 employees and 700 volunteers, Mission Health is dedicated to improving the health and wellness of the people of western North Carolina. For more information, please visit mission- health.org.

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