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The Prevent Cancer Foundation Urges Sun Safety in Celebration of Skin Cancer Awareness Month

Published on May 14, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 14, 2010

CONTACT:
Tracey Young
(703) 837-3687
tracey.young@preventcancer.org

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Before you hit the pool, beach or even the backyard this summer, don’t forget to protect your skin from the sun.  May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and the Prevent Cancer Foundation wants to remind you to practice sun safety while enjoying your favorite outdoor activities.

Get the Facts on Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, affecting over 1 million Americans a year. Even with improved awareness about prevention and early detection, cases of the most serious form of skin cancer, melanoma, are on the rise.  A recent study by the American Academy of Dermatology found that 76 percent of people do not worry about skin cancer because they think it can be treated easily. However, when melanoma is not detected early, it can be deadly.

Skin cancer affects those with all hair, skin and eye colors—even those that never sunburn.

The Foundation recommends these five tips to help reduce your risk.

  • Limit: Avoid or limit sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
    Every day: Always wear sunscreen with UVB and UVA exposure protective formula and with SPF 15 or higher, even on cloudy days.
  • Sunscreen: Apply at least one ounce — about a shot glass full — of sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going out in the sun and reapply frequently — at least every two hours if in continuous sunlight.
  • Other sun protectors: Wear sunglasses treated to absorb ultraviolet (UV) radiation, use a lip balm with an SPF of at least 15, and wear tight-weave clothing with long sleeves and a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Tanning beds: Avoid tanning beds and sun lamps, which provide an additional source of ultraviolet radiation.

The Foundation is celebrating 25 years of providing communities with cancer prevention and early detection strategies, screening guidelines, and ways to reduce cancer risk through healthy lifestyle choices. For more information on how to prevent skin cancer, go to the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s web site at www.preventcancer.org.
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About The Prevent Cancer Foundation
The Prevent Cancer Foundation was started in 1985. Today, it is one of the nation’s leading health organizations and has catapulted cancer prevention to prominence. Through healthy lifestyle choices, you can reduce your risk of breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, oral, prostate, skin and testicular cancers.

Since its inception the Prevent Cancer Foundation has provided more than $113 million in support of cancer prevention and early detection research, education and community outreach programs across the country. The Foundation’s peer-reviewed grants have been awarded to nearly 400 scientists from more than 150 of the leading academic medical centers nationwide. This research has been pivotal in developing a body of knowledge that is the basis for important cancer prevention and early detection strategies. For more information, please visit www.preventcancer.org.

 

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