Skin cancer affects everyone, regardless of age, gender, or race. Skin cancer can be disfiguring and even deadly! The good news is, most skin cancer is avoidable. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from the sun and tanning beds is the cause of most skin cancers, so protecting yourself from UVR will drastically lower your risk of ever getting it. Take the pledge now!
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At least 1 in 5 Americans will get skin cancer. 1
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More than 5.4 million cases of nonmelanoma skin cancer were treated in over 3.3 million people in the U.S. in 2012 (last known statistics available). 2
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Using a tanning bed once increases your chance of getting skin cancer! 3
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Melanoma skin cancer is the second most common cancer in people 15-29 years old. 4
1. Stern, RS. Prevalence of a history of skin cancer in 2007: results of an incidence-based model. Arch Dermatol 2010; 146(3):279-282. 2. Rogers, HW, Weinstock, MA, Harris, AR, et al. Incidence estimate of nonmelanoma skin cancer in the United States, 2006. Arch Dermatol 2010; 146(3):283-287.
3. Boniol M, Autier P, Boyle P, Gandini S. Cutaneous melanoma attributable to sunbed use: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ 2012; 345:e4757. doi: 10.1136/bmj.e4757
4. UV Exposure and Sun Protective Practices. Cancer Trends Progress Report – March 2015 Update. National Cancer Institute.
PLEDGE TO PROTECT YOUR SKIN!
"No tan or accidental sunburn is worth getting skin cancer later in life. I pledge to use sunscreen, wear sun protective clothing, seek shade whenever possible, and never tan on purpose (either outside or in a tanning bed). I will also take action to educate others about the risks of too much sun exposure. I am sun safe!"