Action! Add Your Voice to Help Stop the Spread of Skin Cancer!
As dermatology PAs, you know that skin cancer rates are increasing worldwide. An estimated 3.7 million cases of basal and squamous cell carcinomas and about 60,000 cases of melanoma are diagnosed in the U.S. annually, with approximately 8,500 deaths from melanoma.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are concerned about this and are looking for your help.
In response to the rise of skin cancers around the world, the CDC has opened a public docket in order to gather information from the public on preventing skin cancer through the reduction of UV exposure. Public comments will be accepted until September 4, 2013. Any comments obtained will be used for an anticipated Office of the Surgeon General response to the public health problem of skin cancer.
The SDPA is calling all members to add their professional comments and opinions to this open docket before the deadline of September 4, 2013.
According to the CDC: “The intent of this activity is to identify opportunities and actions that can be taken by all levels of government, civic organizations, health care providers, educational institutions, worksites, industry, service providers, individuals and others to reduce exposure to UV radiation throughout the nation by raising awareness of proper sun protection practices, providing or allowing for use of shade structures, clothing, and sunscreens where appropriate, and changing social norms regarding tanning and having tanned skin.”
The indoor tanning lobbies have already mobilized their forces in order to criticize and minimize the CDCs efforts to reduce indoor tanning and the spread of melanoma. We need medical professionals to stand up for what we know is the truth.
Take a moment to speak up today! The CDC is specifically looking or information and expertise on two topics:
- Barriers to reducing UV exposure from the sun and from indoor tanning devices, and;
- Evidence-based strategies to reduce UV exposure in the population by increasing the use of sun protection and reducing tanning behaviors.
Written comments, submitted either online or by mail, must be received before September 4, 2013. You can add your comment online by going to www.regulations.gov and following the instructions for submitting comments. Make sure to indicate docket number CDC– 2013–0014.
You can also mail any comments to
Meg Watson, MPH, Epidemiologist Epidemiology and Applied Research Branch,
Division of Cancer Prevention and Control,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
4770 Buford Highway NE., MS F–76,
Atlanta, GA 30341–3717
