Lions Cancer Institute set to bring free skin cancer screening to Albany

Albany residents can get a free skin cancer screening this month thanks to an initiative by the Lions Cancer Institute.

The Albany South Coast Lions Club and the Albany Lions Club have partnered with the institute to bring the free screening clinic to Albany on August 27 and 28.

The service last travelled to Albany in September 2020 and screened 129 people.

Of those screenings, 21 per cent resulted in onward referral to doctors, and the identification of 43 suspect lesions.

Melanoma Institute of Australia expect that 16,800 Australians will be diagnosed with melanoma this year, with 1300 of those expected to be diagnoses of fatal growths.

Albany South Coast Lions Club vice-president Lindsay Smith said melanoma affects people across all age groups.

“Melanoma is the most common cancer for Australians aged 20 to 39, so it is important to get screened even if you think you are too young or too safe to become a victim,” he said.

“Getting screened is so important, because if caught early, 90 per cent of melanomas can be cured with mild surgery.

Screenings will take place at the Albany Scout Hall on Sanford Road between 9am and 3pm on August 27 and 28.

To book an appointment call Susan on 0499 447 247 from August 8-26 between 9-5pm.