Walgreens traveling the U.S. to combat skin cancer

Deerfield, Ill.-based Walgreens has partnered with The Skin Cancer Foundation once again, and is hitting the road in an effort to educate the public about the importance of effective sun protection for skin cancer prevention and the importance of early detection.

For the second year in a row, Walgreens has collaborated with The Skin Cancer

Foundation on its Destination: Healthy Skin program to offer free full-body skin cancer screenings in cities around the country. The national mobile education program features a customized RV with two private exam rooms where local dermatologists volunteer their time to provide the screenings to the public.

According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the United States, and also one of the most preventable. It’s estimated that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70. When skin cancer is detected and treated early, it is highly curable.

“As a leader in healthcare, Walgreens is dedicated to helping our customers take proactive measures to safeguard their health and well being,” said Chet Robson, acting chief medical officer at Walgreens. “Long summer days are meant to be spent outdoors, but we want people to understand that overexposure to the sun can be harmful if proper precautions are not taken.”

In select markets, the company will host interactive skincare experiences featuring Walgreens beauty consultants trained in sun care. These experts will be onsite to distribute sunscreen samples, educate visitors on the importance of sun protection and provide advice for staying safe in the sun. Walgreens will participate in community health events at Destination: Healthy Skin events in several U.S. cities.