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Regular Session, 2011 ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 22
BY SENATOR BROOME AND REPRESENTATI VES BARROW AND HONORE
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To recognize May 2011 as National Skin Cancer Awareness Month in Louisiana.
WHEREAS, to heighten awareness about skin cancer, May 2011 is National Skin
Cancer Awareness Month; and
WHEREAS, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States,
increasing at an epidemic rate with one in five Americans developing skin cancer; and
WHEREAS, exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays is responsible for more than 90
percent of all skin cancers; and
WHEREAS, individuals of any race or nationality can develop skin cancer; and
WHEREAS, an estimated 11,790 skin cancer-related deaths occurred in 2010; and
WHEREAS, the most serious form of skin cancer is melanoma, with an estimated
68,130 people diagnosed during 2010; and
WHEREAS, risk factors vary for different types of skin cancer and include, for
melanoma, a personal or family history of melanoma and the presence of atypical moles or
a large quantity of moles (greater than 50); for all types of skin cancer, sun sensitivity and
a history of sunburns; use of tanning booths and sun lamps; and a past history of basal cell
or squamous cell skin cancers; and
WHEREAS, melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer; and
WHEREAS, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), although
it accounts for only about 5% of all skin cancer cases, it is the leading cause of all skin
cancer-related deaths; and
WHEREAS, solar radiation, including both UVA and UVB rays, is classified by the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as a "known human carcinogen," or
cancer-causing agent; and SCR NO. 22 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, there are several modifiable behaviors associated with decreasing the
risk for skin cancer, such as limiting exposure to the sun during the midday hours of 10 a.m.
- 4 p.m.; when outdoors, wearing a hat that shades the face, neck and ears; sunglasses to
protect the skin around the eyes and a broad spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor
(SPF) of 30 or higher; and
WHEREAS, protecting children, in particular, from the sun is important because
severe sunburns in childhood greatly increase the risk of melanoma in later life; and
WHEREAS, the best way to detect skin cancer early is to recognize changes in skin
growths or the appearance of new growths; and
WHEREAS, the American Cancer Society skin cancer screening guidelines
recommend that adult men and women:
Thoroughly examine their skin on a monthly basis.
Undergo regular dermatologic assessment.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
recognize May 2011 as National Skin Cancer Awareness month in Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution will further promote the
importance of early detection of skin cancer through adherence to screening guidelines.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES