Senator Boxer: Avoiding Skin Cancer   

Thursday, June 28, 2007  

Skin cancer is the nation's most commonly occurring form of cancer. And while some forms are very treatable, every hour a person dies from melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer.

As with all forms of cancer, the real goal should be to prevent skin cancer in the first place.  And with skin cancer, we actually have a lot of evidence about how to prevent it by limiting our exposure to the sun.  With the rapid onset of summer, when people are most likely to be exposed to the sun, I wanted to bring you some tips about ways to avoid skin cancer.

I encourage you to visit the special web feature of the Centers for Disease Control called “Choose Your Cover” at http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/chooseyourcover/   This feature provides information on the five most important steps to protect you and your family members from skin cancer by seeking shade, covering up, getting a hat, wearing sunglasses, and rubbing on sunscreen.

An important fact to remember is that early exposure to too much sun can cause skin cancer problems later in life.  Parents should adopt good habits to limit sun exposure for children at an early age and continue these practices.  Skin cancers can be reduced with some very simple steps.  I strongly encourage you to take them.

Sincerely,

U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer