Congressman Pallone Kicks off Summer on the Jersey Shore by Encouraging Smart Sun Protection

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, May 24, 2012

Calls attention to risks posed by indoor tanning and provides tips for staying sun safe

LONG BRANCH, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) visited Pier Village at the Jersey shore today to launch the summer season with an educational event to encourage smart sun protection. He was joined by Dr. Fred Jacobs, of the American Cancer Society/former New Jersey Health Commissioner and Dermatologist Dr. Robert Paull, MD to raise awareness of skin cancer, the most common of all cancer types, and provide tips for avoiding sun damage.

There are over 2 million new cases of skin cancer every year, but when caught early, skin cancer has a 98% cure rate. In addition to protecting skin in the sun with a broad-spectrum water-resistant SPF of at least 30 and wearing protective clothing, beach-goers can also protect themselves with frequent skin cancer screenings.

“We love the sun at the Jersey shore, but that doesn’t mean we can’t stay safe from its harmful effects too,” said Pallone. “Simple steps, like generously applying a SPF of at least 30 every two hours, will go a long way towards protecting skin from dangerous sun damage.”

Congressman Pallone also called attention to the dangers of indoor tanning beds, particularly the risks posed to teenagers. Seventy-six percent of melanomas are attributable to the use of a tanning device.

With colleagues on the Energy & Commerce Committee, Congressman Pallone released a report in February that found evidence of false and misleading health information provided to teenagers by many in the indoor tanning industry minimizing the dangerous effects of indoor tanning. For example, 90 percent of the salons contacted for this report stated that indoor tanning did not pose a health risk.

“The findings of this report on indoor tanning are startling, particularly when we know that tanning beds to pose a health risk. I encourage everyone to prevent skin cancer by being sun-safe outside and avoiding harmful tanning beds inside,” Pallone added.