Most Americans still don't know about the early signs of one of the most common types of skin cancer. That's why 3M Pharmaceuticals is partnering with the University of Minnesota's Department of Dermatology to raise awareness about actinic keratosis, or AK. Local dermatologists will offer free skin cancer screenings and information at the 3M Championship, Aug. 7 through Aug. 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The 3M Championship, a PGA Champions Tour event, will be held at the Tournament Players Club of the Twin Cities, 11444 Tournament Players Parkway, Blaine, Minn. The screenings will be conducted in a tent near the 18th hole and will be open to both players and tournament attendees only. Tickets must be purchased to enter the tournament grounds and to receive free skin cancer screenings. In 2002, more than 150,000 people attended the golf tournament.

Caused by cumulative sun exposure, AK is very common affecting more than 10 million Americans. AK appears as rough, red, scaly patches, crusts or sores on the top layer of the skin, and many people are ignoring these warning signs. Left untreated, AK may progress to squamous cell carcinoma, the second leading cause of skin cancer deaths in the United States. At least 40 percent of squamous cell carcinomas begin as AK. Because AK may take years to develop, the condition usually first appears in older people -- although cases have been reported in people in their 40s and 50s.

Organized by 3M Pharmaceuticals, the skin cancer screening event at the 3M Championship will offer practical information about AK -- how to recognize AK, how to prevent it and what to do about it. The event is part of 3M's new educational initiative to benefit dermatology residency programs and local communities through a national skin cancer screening effort.

About 3M

3M Health Care, the largest of 3M's seven business segments, serves medical, dental, pharmaceutical and personal care markets. 3M Pharmaceuticals, a division of 3M Health Care, develops, manufactures and sells branded prescription drug products related to dermatology and other medical specialties. 3M currently is developing a portfolio of products based on its immune response modifier (IRM) technology, which works by stimulating the immune system to recognize and respond to virus infections and tumors in the skin. Additional information is available at www.3M.com/pharma.

3M is a $16 billion diversified technology company with leading positions in consumer and office; display and graphics; electronics and telecommunications; health care; industrial; safety, security and protection services; transportation and other businesses. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, the company has operations in more than 60 countries and serves customers in nearly 200 countries. 3M is one of the 30 stocks that make up the Dow Jones Industrial Average and also is a component of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. For more information about 3M, go to www.3M.com/profile/pressbox/index.jhtml.

3M, St. PaulMedia Contacts:KPRMaureen Kiggins, 212-856-8430or3MDiane Kwiatkowski, 651-733-7853orJohn Cornwell, 651-733-7698