Photo: Chris Condon/PGA TOUR

Photo: Chris Condon/PGA TOUR

Summer is just around the corner and for those avid golfers and/or spectators, that means lathering on buckets of sunscreen.

In an effort to get people to monitor their own sun exposure and risk for skin cancer, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center are joining forces to offer free skin cancer screenings to spectators at the PLAYERS Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.

From May 12-15, spectators can take 10 minutes out of their weekend to get screened by physicians for the most common and preventable cancer that there is in the United States.

“Since becoming the official cancer center of the PGA TOUR last year, MD Anderson has offered skin screenings at six events, screening 216 players and caddies thus far,” said Tom Buchholz, MD, executive vice president and physician-in-chief at MD Anderson. “Through this partnership with Baptist MD Anderson, we are advancing our shared mission of eliminating cancer.”

Appointments (https://skincancercheck.eventbrite.com) are available but not required and walk-ups are welcome.

“By providing skin cancer screenings at THE PLAYERS, we are able to educate the public on the importance of sun safety and cancer prevention,” said Bill Putnam, MD, medical director of Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center. “This collaboration with MD Anderson allows us to reach more people with these convenient services that will truly make a difference in our community.”

So, if you’re at the tournament, don’t just be a spectator. Be an active participant in your own life and get screened.