Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center Brings Spot it Program to Local Baton Rouge Hair Dressers
(Baton Rouge, La.) – Hair dressers typically take Mondays off, but on Oct. 29, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., licensed cosmetologists and students are invited to a free hour-long special training that could help save a client’s life by detecting skin cancer early. Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center is hosting a Spot It workshop at the Main Library at Goodwood, 7711 Goodwood Blvd., Baton Rouge for participants to learn how to spot early signs of the disease. The event, sponsored by Healthy Blue, will offer a complementary lunch.
According to Johnnay Benjamin, early detection and education director at the Cancer Center, the informative seminar will help train stylists learn how to spot potentially dangerous skin lesions when working with clients.
“Most people typically see their hair dresser more than they do a dermatologist. And your cosmetologist can see spots on the body that even the most diligent of us can’t see when doing self-exams for skin cancer,” said Benjamin. “This includes the scalp and neck, frequent locations for skin cancer lesions to begin.”
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in America and dermatologists say diagnoses are daily occurrences. Benjamin said that in order to increase the number of skin cancers diagnosed early – when the disease is most treatable – more allies are needed.
“Cosmetologists are a critical link between their clients and dermatologists. And already many lives have been saved by concerned hair stylists who alert their clients to suspicious looking spots,” said Benjamin. “It’s the ultimate gift they can give their loyal clients and together we can save more lives.”
RSVPs are encouraged. For more information or to RSVP, please call (225) 215-1234 or visit marybirdlake.org/spot-it.
About Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center
As a regional destination for cancer care, Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center offers the most advanced technology and services provided by a dedicated team of nationally-recognized oncology experts. The Cancer Center provides best-practice, comprehensive care at every stage of the cancer journey, including disease site-specific multidisciplinary care teams, a robust clinical research program, extensive supportive care services and is the only facility in the Gulf South with the revolutionary Leksell Gamma Knife® Icon™. As a nonprofit organization, donor generosity is essential to sustaining the mission of improving survivorship and lessening the burden of cancer for so many throughout Southeast Louisiana and beyond. For more information on the Cancer Center, and how you can become involved, please visit mbpolol.org.