Chapel Hill skincare clinic provides free cancer screenings to NC firefighters

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) — Firefighters in North Carolina received free cancer screenings at a skincare clinic in Chapel Hill, the center said Thursday.

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Central Dermatology Center said it screened 43 firefighters for skin cancer as part of a week-long community outreach initiative.

Participating departments included the Caldwell Fire Department in Rougemont, Pittsboro Fire & Rescue, the Sanford Fire Department, and Timberlake Fire & Rescue, according to the clinic.

According to the clinic, the goal of the initiative was to increase access to preventative skin cancer care for firefighters who face increased cancer risks because of increased exposure to carcinogens and other hazardous materials while on duty.

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“Firefighters put themselves at risk every day to protect our communities and many people don’t realize that skin cancer is one of the significant health risks associated with their profession,” Central Dermatology founding partner Dr. Beth Goldstein said in a statement. “We were honored to bring these screenings directly to departments throughout the Triangle and help support the long-term health of these first responders.”

The clinic said the firefighters also received information about skin cancer prevention, early detection, and sun safety.

“Early detection is one of the most important tools we have in fighting skin cancer,” Central Dermatology Marketing Director Allison Hutton said in a statement. “By making screenings more accessible, especially for high-risk groups like firefighters, we hope to encourage proactive skin health and potentially save lives through early intervention.”

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