DHSS Press Release

“SPF (SUNSCREEN) IS YOUR BFF” (BEST FRIEND FOREVER) OUTREACH CAMPAIGN REMINDS DELAWAREANS TO PREVENT SKIN CANCER

(Dover, DE) – The Delaware Division of Public Health announced its skin cancer prevention campaign and resources today: “SPF is your BFF.” Every two weeks a Delawarean dies of skin cancer and Delaware’s melanoma rate is increasing three times as fast as the nation.

Long-term sun exposure, sunbathing, having sunburns, or using tanning beds increases the chance of developing skin cancer. Protection from damaging and dangerous ultraviolet (UV) radiation is important year round.

Advertisements will appear in newspapers and on billboards statewide. In addition, Delawareans will see the skin cancer prevention ads on the Jolly Trolley in the Rehoboth, Lewes and Dewey area, and on the ocean advertising boat. DPH will also use social media such as Facebook, Google Ads, and Pandora radio.

DPH’s Comprehensive Cancer Program is distributing sunscreen, educational materials, and UV light sensitive Frisbees at events this summer, including:

• Saturday, July 20, 2013, 6:30 p.m. at The Reminders, a Modern Gospel concert at Trap Pond State Park, Baldcypress Nature Center, 33587 Baldcypress Lane, Laurel.
• Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at An Afternoon in the Park for women and young children, Brecknock Park, 80 Old Camden Road, Camden.
• To prevent skin cancer, DPH recommends the following measures:
• Stay indoors or seek shade when the ultraviolet (UV) rays are most dangerous, between 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Regularly use a water-resistant sunscreen with UVA and UVB and a broad spectrum SPF of 15 or higher. Apply sunscreen liberally and reapply it every two hours, or more if swimming or perspiring. Wear sunscreen and cosmetics with a high SPF year-round.
• Wear wide-brimmed hats to cover the head, face, neck and ears; and sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. Also wear protective clothing such as long-sleeve shirts and pants.
• Diligently protect children from the sun. Encourage them to play in shaded areas, and apply sunscreen regularly. Don’t let them get sunburned.
• Avoid tanning beds, which have been linked to the deadliest form of skin cancer called melanoma. Tanning beds produce UV rays just like the sun.

The latest cancer statistics show that Delaware’s malignant melanoma incidence rate was increasing at a rate three times greater than the U.S. (64.3 percent for Delaware vs. 20 percent for the U.S.) from 1995-1999 through 2005-2009. While most of Delaware’s malignant melanoma cases were diagnosed in the local stage, when they are the most treatable, the proportion of cases of malignant melanoma diagnosed in the regional stage doubled from 4.9 percent in the period 1980 to 1984 to 10 percent in the period 2005 to 2009.

The risk of skin cancer is greatest for persons who are fair-skinned or who have blue or green eyes; has skin that burns, freckles, reddens easily, or becomes painful in the sun; has many large and irregularly shaped moles; and who are exposed to the sun through work and play. Persons at high risk of developing skin cancer have a history of excessive sun exposure, blistering sunburns, or indoor tanning; and have a personal or family history of skin cancer. Although there are some people who are at greater risk for developing skin cancer, skin cancer can affect anyone.

The earlier that skin cancers are detected, the less likely that they will metastasize (spread) to other body parts. See a dermatologist immediately if you have moles that are different from others, sores that do not heal, new skin growths, and moles with one or more of the ABCDE characteristics:

• Asymmetry – If an imaginary line is drawn through the mole, the halves do not match.
• Border – Irregular, uneven borders.
• Color – Moles that have several colors, or moles which become lighter or darker.
• Diameter – Moles larger than the size of a pencil eraser (greater than 6 mm in diameter).
• Evolving – Moles that itch or bleed, shrink or grow, change color, or have portions that are elevated; or a new growth on the skin.

For more information, contact the Delaware Division of Public Health’s Comprehensive Cancer Control Program at 302-744-1020; or visit www.dhss.delaware.gov/dph/dpc/cancer.html or www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.