Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Centre marks the Summer Solstice with a free skin cancer screening for community residents on Thursday, June 21 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the hospital's St. Anne's Center.

"Fun in the sun" during the summer months increases the risk of skin cancer, which is the most common of all malignancies and accounts for nearly half of all cancers in the United States. Individuals with light complexions, moles and freckles, a personal or family history of melanoma, or a history of severe sunburn early in life are at the highest risk.

Most skin cancers are highly curable, but the most serious form, melanoma, can be deadly. Melanoma can spread quickly from the skin to internal organs and its incidence has tripled in women and increased fivefold in men in the past five decades. Fortunately, early diagnoses can prevent most melanoma deaths.

There is no charge for the screening, but advance registration is required.

To register for an appointment, please call: (516)705-2210.