Summer sun is back, and the beach is beckoning. While organizations such as the Skin Cancer Foundation offers preventative tips, the Bernards Township Health Department is again offering its annual skin cancer screening for member towns' (Which includes Mendham Borough, Mendham Township and Chester Borough) residents to encourage early detection.

Back by popular demand, the health department is offering the skin cancer screening on two dates from 2 to 6 p.m. on consecutive Wednesdays, July 18 and 25, at the Fellowship Village Wellness Center at Fellowship Village in the Liberty Corner section of the township.

This service is offered to local residents age 18 and older who are not currently under the care of a dermatologist; and who have not had a skin cancer screening in two years, according to the township health department.

“Research shows about 800,000 Americans are newly diagnosed with skin cancer every year, making it the most common form of the disease," said Health Department Director Lucy Forgione. "Fortunately, it is the easiest of all cancers to detect and it is the cancer that is treated most successfully."

This program, conducted by a board certified dermatologist, will include a full body exam, and prevention information in conjunction with the guidelines from the American Academy of Dermatology.  All participants will receive a copy of their screening results.

Pre-registration is required and can be done in person at the Bernards Township Health Department at 262 S. Finley Ave. in Basking Ridge, or by phone at 908-204-2520. The screening will take place at the Fellowship Village Wellness Center, 8000 Fellowship Road, off Allen Road, on both dates.

The suggested donation is $10 for residents in the health department's member towns of Basking Ridge, Bernardsville, Peapack-Gladstone, Long Hill Township, Mendham Borough, Mendham Township and Chester Borough. The suggested donation for non-residents is $20, used to cover the cost of supplies.

The Bernards Township Health Department is a contractual health agency serving Bernards Township, Bernardsville Borough, Chester Borough, Long Hill Township, Mendham Borough, Mendham Township, and Peapack and Gladstone Borough. For more information, call 908-204-2520 or visit www.bernardshealth.org.