Three of the biggest names in University of Michigan athletics are joining forces for something even more important than sports. It's a lifesaving effort against a deadly disease they've all battled.

Former University of Michigan football coach Llyod Carr, current hockey coach Red Berenson, and Athletic Director Bill Martin told Local 4 they have more in common than their love of Michigan sports. They revealed they've all been diagnosed and treated for melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

When Martin was diagnosed a few years ago, it occurred to him that if he was at risk, so was his dedicated staff.

"I spend a lot of time in the sun, and so many of our coaches and our staff likewise spend a lot of time in the sun," said Martin.

Martin asked Dr. Tim Johnson from the University of Michigan Skin Cancer Program to offer screenings for the entire athletic department. Hockey coach Red Berenson was among those screened, and he was surprised by his results.

"I never thought I had a problem," said Berenson. "But the minute I walked in for a screening by a professional, they knew right away. And once they took a biopsy of the melanoma, they knew this was more serious; this wasn't just a surface thing."

Johnson estimated some form of skin cancer has been detected in nearly two dozen members of the U of M athletic department staff.

Martin said one case in particular stood out for him.

"We've had one young female coach of an indoor sport who had a very serious situation with melanoma and got treated," said Martin.

That coach's mother called Martin to thank him for the screenings.

"She said, 'You saved my daughter's life.' Well, No. 1, it wasn't me, it was a doctor," said Martin. "But it's really nice to hear that you've had an impact on somebody."

Former football coach Lloyd Carr said he was diagnosed with melanoma a few months ago, but it wasn't a doctor who spotted his problem.

"My wife happened to see something on my back that she thought was out of the ordinary," said Carr. "I went in, made an appointment, and they took it out maybe three days later."

Carr's melanoma was still in the early stages and was successfully treated.

"What's scary is, when I look back to think if she hadn't seen that, this thing would have spread, and it would have impacted my life in a much more different way than it did," said Carr.

Johnson said he's not surprised his staff has detected so many cases of melanoma in the U of M athletic department.

"The number of new cases of melanoma is rising faster than any cancer," said Johnson. "It's the most common cancer in women 25 to 29 years of age in this country."

Johnson said skin cancer is treatable if it's diagnosed early.

People with fair skin, blue or green eyes, blond or red hair, or a lot of moles have an increased risk of melanoma. Sun exposure or using a tanning bed also increases that risk.

"A lot of it is how much sun they had growing up. That's why we see people with melanoma from sunburns as a kid," said Johnson.

Doctors are also seeing more melanoma in younger patients.

"The University of Michigan has one of the largest, if not the largest, melanoma programs in the United States, and there are over 100 new patients per month that come here from all around the country with melanoma," said Johnson. "There's not a month that goes by that we don't see a teenager with melanoma now."

Because some melanomas are not related to sun exposure, experts stressed everyone is potentially at risk.

"It's important that you're looking at your skin every month," said Johnson. "If you notice a spot that's changing in size, shape, or color, or it's different than it used to be then it should be looked at and possibly tested."

Martin, Berenson, and Carr said their health is great and their melanomas were successfully treated, because they were diagnosed early.

"I'm so thankful to Bill that he had this screening, because had he not had it, I probably would not have gone in. Had I not gone in, I would have been in serious trouble," said Berenson.

All three men said they still enjoy the outdoors, but are more careful about protecting themselves from the sun by wearing hats, long sleeves, pants, and sunscreen.

"When you're young, you think you know everything, and you're going to live forever, and you don't have to take these precautions. It's not the case," said Martin.

The men now get regular skin checks and advise others to do the same.

Carr stressed it's important to act if notice any changes in your skin.

"Do something about it. Don't wait and hope that it goes away, because it's not going away," said Carr.

Martin said doctors will continue to screen his staff on a regular basis. The next screening is Saturday.

To learn more about melanoma, click here.