National Melanoma_skin Cancer Detection And Prevention Month

News Release CONTACT: Deborah Roubian Public Information Officer 301-600-3327 TTY: Use Maryland Relay [email protected] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

MAY 11, 2009

MAY IS NATIONAL MELANOMA/SKIN CANCER DETECTION AND PREVENTION MONTH Sun Wisdom for Frederick County Residents

FREDERICK, MD -- The number of people with melanoma, particularly among young women, has increasedfor several years according to the National Cancer Institute. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2008, approximately 1,110 Marylanders were diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer, the deadliest form of skin cancer accounting for 75% of skin cancer deaths. Tanning facilities, as well as parents, guardians, and teens, should know that Marylandlaw requires minors to have parental consent in-person to use a tanning bed. People need to be aware that ultraviolet radiation from tanning beds can cause skin cancer, and there is no such thing as a safe tan. A year-round protection and avoidance of sun exposure and artificial ultraviolet radiation (UV) is the key topreventing skin cancer. People can reduce their risk of skin cancer by limiting their exposure to UV light, especially between 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; wearing sun protective hats and clothing, and sunglasses with UV protection when exposed to sunlight; using sunscreens and lip balms with a SPF of 15 or higher; and avoiding artificial sources of UV light, such as tanning --more-Sun Wisdom/Page 2 Barbara A. Brookmyer, M.D., M.P.H. ▪ Health Officer 350 Montevue Lane Phone: 301-600-1029

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Frederick, MD 21702

Fax: 301-600-3111

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MD TTY: 1-800-735-2258

boothsand tanning lamps. Other major risk factors of skin cancer include having a history of childhood sunburn, certain types of moles, fair skin, freckles, red or blond hair, and personal and family history of skin cancers. Spots on the skin that are new or that change in size, shape, or color require physician’s attention. The two major groups of skin cancer are non-melanomas and melanomas. The most common forms of non-melanoma are basal cell and squamouscell cancers that rarely spread to other parts of the body. On the other hand, melanoma skin cancer, which develops from the melanocytecells that produce melanin for skin color, is less common but accounts for 75% of skin cancer deaths and can spread to other parts of the body. The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and its local health departments and partners, such as the Maryland Skin Cancer Prevention Program of the Center for a Healthy Maryland, educate Maryland residents to protect their skin from both natural and artificial sources of ultraviolet radiation. The Frederick County Health Department’s Chronic Disease Prevention Program wants Frederick County residents to be Sun Wise and Sun Safe. This program offers Skin Cancer Prevention Education to the community. For more information about skin cancer prevention, please call Mary K. Jackson of the Chronic Disease Prevention Program at 301-600-3362 or you can visit the Health Department’s Cancer prevention webpage at www.co.frederick.md.us/cancerprevention. ###

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