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June 20, 2012
Your Health

Most Common Cancer in U.S.
Is One of the Most Preventable

Organizations highlight sun safety tips.

As summer arrives, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has joined the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Park Service (NPS) to emphasize the dangers of skin cancer and has provided simple steps Americans can take to protect themselves.

"Skin cancer prevention and sun safety are important issues for EPA — our primary mission is to protect people's health and the environment," said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. "While the agency has made steady progress protecting the Earth's ozone layer, the SunWise program and Don't Fry Day help teach children and families simple steps to stay safe in the sun and protect themselves from harmful UV rays."

"The risk of skin cancer is very real. It's therefore important that consumers prevent sunburn and protect themselves from the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging throughout the year," said FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg. "The FDA strongly recommends that consumers regularly use a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF value of 15 or higher in combination with other protective measures to more effectively protect themselves and their families whenever they are in the sun."

"Whether you hike or stroll, paddle a canoe or kayak, or just sit in a mountain meadow watching the clouds go by, remember to put on your hat, apply sunscreen and have plenty of water to drink," said National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis. "These sun safety tips will protect your skin and I think guarantee that we'll see you often in your national parks."

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States and the most common cancer among 20- to 30-year-olds. It's estimated that one American dies every hour from melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Approximately 76,000 new cases of melanoma will occur this year.

To help protect people's health, EPA's SunWise program, one of the nation's largest environmental and health education programs, encourages kids and their caregivers to practice safe sun habits and raises awareness about UV sunlight that penetrates the Earth's ozone layer.

Here are some tips to help Americans continue to exercise, get outside and be SunWise this summer:


Check the UV Index app: Check the ultraviolet (UV) index anytime by downloading EPA's app (epa.gov/enviro/mobile) to help plan outdoor activities in ways that prevent overexposure to the sun. UV rays from the sun (and from artificial light sources such as tanning beds) can lead to skin cancer.

Apply sunscreen and wear protective clothing: About 15 minutes before heading outdoors apply a palm-full of sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher that provides broad-spectrum protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays to exposed skin. Reapply every two hours. Wearing protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses also prevents sun damage.

Seek shade, not sun: The sun's UV rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so seek shade during this time.

Although less common in individuals with darker complexions, skin cancer does not discriminate and is more often fatal for individuals with darker skin. Overexposure to the sun also causes immune suppression and up to 90% of wrinkles, brown spots, leathering of the skin and sagging.

EPA's SunWise program offers factsheets online that have state-specific information (epa.gov/sunwise/statefacts.html). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the states with the highest melanoma death rates include Nebraska, Vermont, Colorado, Kentucky, West Virginia, Oklahoma and Idaho.

 

For more information on SunWise, visit www.epa.gov/sunwise.

For more information from the FDA on sun safety, visit www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm258416.htm.

For more information on NPS Healthy Parks Healthy People, visit www.nps.gov/public_health/hp/hphp.htm.

For more information on CDC skin cancer prevention efforts, visit www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/.

 



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