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Dana-Farber's Sun Safety/Skin Cancer Prevention Program

  • Dana-Farber's Blum Family Resource Center Van at the beach

    About the Program

    Dana-Farber's Sun Safety/Skin Cancer Prevention Program works to reduce the incidence of skin cancer in Massachusetts through free education and free skin cancer screenings for the public.

    The Sun Safety Program brings Dana-Farber's mobile Blum Family Resource Center Van to beaches, health fairs, communities, and corporate events in and around Boston. At these events, the Program's health educators use an evidence-based curriculum to teach the public about skin cancer prevention and sun-safe practices.

    The Program focuses especially on at-risk populations with a higher prevalence and/or incidence of skin cancer, such as beachgoers. During the summer – the peak season for the Sun Safety Program – the Van travels to many beach events in Boston and surrounding areas. Beachgoers can visit the van and learn from our health educators how to prevent and detect skin cancer.

    Visitors to the Van can also receive free skin cancer screenings and sun safety materials. On hand to give the free skin cancer screenings at most Dana-Farber Sun Safety Program events is a board-certified Brigham and Women's Hospital dermatologist.

    Sun safety screening dates and locations

    The Blum Family Resource Van will host free skin cancer screenings with board-certified dermatologists at the following locations in 2022:

    • Thursday, July 7 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at DCR Revere Beach
    • Thursday, July 14 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at DCR Nahant Beach
    • Monday, July 18 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at DCR Carson Beach
    • Monday, July 25 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at DCR Carson Beach
    • Friday, July 29 from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Nantasket Beach
    • Monday, August 1 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Nahant Beach
    • Friday, August 12 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at DCR Wollaston Beach
    • Thursday, August 18 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at DCR Revere Beach

    For any questions, please email us at blum_van@dfci.harvard.edu.

    Under the Umbrella: Dana-Farber Sun Safety Education Series

    Read informative articles in our growing Sun Safety Education Series dedicated to sun safety and a healthy enjoyment of the outdoors all year long. Learn how to choose sunscreen, how to keep your kids sun-safe, and more. These articles are part of our commitment to helping you and your family stay sun-safe.

    About the Blum Resource Van

    The Blum Family Resource Center Van – home to the Sun Safety Program – is a 39-foot, custom-designed van, outfitted with a classroom that can accommodate up to 15 people, two computer stations for Internet access, and a fully equipped exam room. The Van visits health fairs, beaches, private businesses and corporations, public events, and other special events throughout Massachusetts.

    For more information about Dana-Farber's Sun Safety/Skin Cancer Prevention Program, please contact our program team at 617-632-2614 or blum_van@dfci.harvard.edu.

  • "Sun Smart Penguins" Video Has an Important Message
    Whenever you go to the beach, the ballpark, or the backyard, remember the sun smart penguins' advice in the video below – and be sun safe.