EPA Urges People to Protect Themselves Against Skin Cancer
Skin cancer has become the most common type of cancer in the U.S., and if current trends continue 20 percent of all Americans could be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetimes. The EPA urges people to take action and protect themselves against the sun.
Since melanoma is now the most common cancer diagnosed in the U.S., the EPA helping raise awareness by providing tips to help people better protect themselves from overexposure to UV rays. Some of these tips include using a “Broad Spectrum” sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays, both of which can contribute to skin cancer. EPA also encourages people to use SPF 15 and above, plus water resistance sunscreens.
“While we’re making progress toward restoring the Earth’s ozone layer, Americans need to take steps now for extra protection from harmful UV rays and skin cancer,” said Janet McCabe, deputy assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. “Americans can stay safe under the sun and enjoy the outdoors by taking simple steps such as using sunscreen and wearing UV-blocking sunglasses.”
The EPA has a UV index mobile app that can be downloaded for free and tells people when the sun’s rays are at their most harmful. The CDC states that Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Montana, Oregon, Utah, and West Virginia have the highest melanoma death rates in the country.