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May is Melanoma Awareness Month! This month we take time to recognize that melanoma is a deadly but preventable form of cancer caused by UV radiation. Let’s teach our children and each other how to be sun safe every day as the weather starts turning and we spend more time outside. #MelanomaAwarenessMonth / May is #MelanomaAwarenessMonth Skin cancer is preventable and detectable! Be sun safe as you spend more time outside! /
A simple way to reduce your risk of skin cancer is to wear sunscreen with a SPF 30 or higher and REAPPLY it every 2 hours; more frequently if you are in water. #MelanomaAwarenessMonth / REDUCE your risk of skin cancer by wearing SPF 30 sunscreen, & REAPPLY every 2 hours that you are outdoors! #MelanomaAwarenessMonth /
The sun is strongest (even when cloudy) between 10 and 4pm. Seek shade when outside during this time or plan some indoor activities when possible!
#Notjustskincancer #preventskincancerND
#seekshade / The sun is strongest between 10 and 4pm. Seek shade or plan some indoor activities when possible! #preventskincancerND #seekshade /
Week 2: May 8-12
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Young adults are the FASTEST increasing group being diagnoses with Melanoma (late stage skin cancer) between ages 24-30.
#ItsnotJUSTskincancer
#melanomaawarenessmonth
#preventskincancerND / Young adults ages 24-30 are the FASTEST increasing group being diagnosed with skin cancer #ItsnotJUSTskincancer /
The leading cause of #skincancer is exposure to UV radiation, including from indoor tanning devices.
To be clear- NO tan is a safe tan.
#ItsnotJUSTskincancer
#melanomaawarenessmonth / The leading cause of #skincancer is exposure to UV radiation, including from indoor tanning devices.
To be clear- NO tan is a safe tan. /
An article in the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology based on a health and economic study indicates that restricting indoor tanning among minors younger than 18 years (consistent with an FDA proposed rule) was estimated to prevent 61,839 melanoma cases, prevent 6735 melanoma deaths, and save $342.9 million in treatment costs over the lifetime of the 61.2 million youth age 14 years or younger in the United States. #preventskincancerND#melanomaawarenessmonth / Restricting UV tanning from minors will prevent 61,839 cases and 6,735 deaths from melanoma in today’s 14 year old and younger group /
Week 3: May 15-19
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The World Health Organization has classified tanning beds and other sources of ultraviolet radiation as definite causes of cancer (a group 1 Carcinogen, like cigarette smoking causing lung cancer)
#ItsnotJUSTskincancer
#melanomaawarenessmonth / WHO classifies tanning beds and devices as definite causes of cancer, group 1 carcinogens #knowyourrisk #ItsnotJUSTskincancer /
People younger than 30 who use tanning machines increase their risk of skin cancer by 75%. Just 1 indoor tanning session/year in high school increases risk of melanoma by 20%.
The risk increases with the number of sunbed sessions and with the initial use under the age of 35 years
*According to the World Health Organization
#ItsnotJUSTskincancer
#melanomaawarenessmonth /
You’re never too old to be sun safe! Take a cue from this guy and practice Safe Sun everyday!
#ItsnotJUSTskincancer
#melanomaawarenessmonth
#preventskincancerND / You’re never too old to be sun safe!
#ItsnotJUSTskincancer
#melanomaawarenessmonth /
Week 4: May 22-26
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It may be Skin Cancer Awareness Month but we need to be sun safe year round. The sun and heat are a good reminder to us about the damage that can be caused by sun, be sure to take precautions, even with the skies are cloudy and the weather cools.
#ItsnotJUSTskincancer
#melanomaawarenessmonth
#preventskincancerND / Sun & heat are a reminder to us about skin damage caused by sun, take precautions, even with the skies are cloudy and the weather cools. /
Taking the kids to the beach? Don’t forget to teach them how to be sun safe by covering their head, sunglasses, using and reapplying broad spectrum SPF 30 more frequently EVEN the waterproof variety!
#ItsnotJUSTskincancer
#melanomaawarenessmonth / At the beach? Wear sunscreen, hats that cover your eats and sun glasses! REAPPLY SPF 30 often! #PreventskincanerND #melanomaawarenessmonth /
Friday before Memorial Day is National Don’t Fry Day and reminds us to be sun safe while enjoying the outdoors!
This weekend typically marks the start of summer so be prepared with SPF 30, sun hats, glasses, and shade umbrellas, trees or indoor activities during peak UV times (10am-4pm)!
Have fun and remember Tip No. 1. NEVER SKIP SUNSCREEN.
#MelanomaAwarenessMonth #PreventskincanerND / National Don’t Fry Day and serves as a reminder to be sun safe while enjoying the outdoors! #MelanomaAwarenessMonth /
Week 5: May 29-31
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Know the early signs of #skincancer to contact your Dr!
Symptoms:
- A mole, sore, lump or growth on the skin
- A sore or growth that bleeds
- A change in skin coloring
ABCDE System #MelanomaAwarenessMonth #PreventskincanerND / Know the signs of early #skincancer! #ItsnotJUSTskincancer
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Don’t waste your summer in pain from avoidable sunburns! Reapply SPF 30 or greater every 2 hours, cover up when able, and seek shade 10am-4pm.
#MelanomaAwarenessMonth #PreventskincanerND #ItsnotJUSTskincancer / Don’t waste summer in pain from avoidable sunburns! Use SPF 30 every 2 hrs, cover up, & seek shade 10am-4pm. Role model sun safety /
If you have any concerns about moles or skin changes, contact your doctor to get checked!
#Notjustskincancer #preventskincancerND /
*Messages have been adapted from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, American Academy of Dermatology and Skin Cancer Foundation.
Other Skin Cancer Information Resources:
- Spot Skin Cancer Campaign:
- Skin Cancer Statistics:
- Education and resources for North Dakota educators and health professionals:
- Benefits of indoor tanning restrictions:
This toolkit was developed by the North Dakota Cancer Coalition UV Safety Workgroup, established in 2012. Our mission is to improve awareness of skin cancer prevalence, risk factors, signs, and skin cancer prevention. The Workgroup is comprised of stakeholders in skin cancer prevention across North Dakota, including local public health, North Dakota Department of Health, and North Dakota State University Extension Services. The workgroup partners with Department of Public Instruction, Parks and Recreation, schools, clinics, cancer centers and others to spread the message about sun safety and skin cancer prevention.
If you are interested in more information about the UV Safety Workgroup, North Dakota Cancer Coalition, or how you can get involved please o get connected!