May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and according to the New Jersey Department of Health, 228 New Jersey residents died from skin melanoma in 2020.

"Skin cancer affects anyone who has skin. This is something that is underdiagnosed, under-treated and as a result, people die, " says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jeanine Downie, at Image Dermatology.

Dr. Downie teamed up with the Skin Cancer Foundation to bring its Destination Healthy Skin RV to her offices at 51 Park St. in Montclair.

The RV visits more than 40 cities across the country in the span of five months, offering free skin cancer screenings to anyone with or without insurance.

"Doesn't hurt you know if you have a couple of spots here and there, whatever you think might be concerned about and get it checked out for free," says Montclair resident Mel Hyman.

Downie says it is important to stay up to date with screenings and she wanted the RV to come to Montclair to not only spread awareness but to give back to the community.

"We look all through their back. We look at their buttocks," says Downie when explaining what happens during a total body scan. "...we look down their legs, we look through their scalp and we look through their entire face."

Downie offers free skin cancer screenings year-round for those insured and uninsured and says it's important that everyone wears sunscreen.