AJR233

A Joint Resolution designating May of each year as “Skin Cancer Awareness Month” in New Jersey.

Whereas, Skin cancer occurs when there is damage to deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, in skin cells, most often from excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun and tanning beds. Other causes include exposure to certain chemicals, environmental carcinogens, ionizing radiation, weakened immune systems, and some genetic factors or inherited conditions; and

Whereas, Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States; and

Whereas, It is estimated that at least one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70; and

Whereas, Skin cancer is categorized as either non-melanoma or melanoma; and

Whereas, Non-melanoma skin cancers, like basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, often appear as slow-growing bumps or patches on sun-exposed skin; and

Whereas, An estimated 5.4 million Americans are diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma each year; and

Whereas, Despite a high rate of recovery for non-melanoma skin cancers, studies suggest that up to 8,000 people die of this type of skin cancer every year in the United States; and

Whereas, Melanoma skin cancer is less common but far more dangerous due to its aggressive nature and higher likelihood of spreading quickly, originating from pigment cells and often appearing as dark, irregular spots or changing moles; and

Whereas, While melanomas can result from a variety of causes, the vast majority are caused by the sun, with one study attributing 86 percent of melanomas to ultraviolet radiation; and

Whereas, On average, a person’s risk for melanoma doubles if they have had more than five sunburns; and

Whereas, Melanoma skin cancer is almost always curable if it is recognized and treated early, but if melanoma is not detected, it can spread to other parts of the body, where it becomes harder to treat and is often fatal; and

Whereas, An estimated number of 212,200 individuals will be diagnosed with a melanoma in the United States in 2025, of which nearly 8,500 are anticipated to die; and

Whereas, The best form of prevention from skin cancer requires an individual to adhere to a comprehensive set of behaviors that protect the skin from harmful ultraviolent radiation, including: seeking shade between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm, avoiding sun tanning, and applying sun block daily; and

Whereas, Daily use of a Sun Protection Factor, or SPF, 15 or higher sunscreen alone reduces the risk of developing non-melanoma skin cancer by about 40 percent and melanoma skin cancer by about 50 percent; and

Whereas, With more than 419,000 cases of skin cancer in the United States annually linked to indoor tanning, another key factor to avoiding skin cancer is to eliminate the use of tanning beds; and

Whereas, People are also advised to examine their skin regularly for the warning signs of skin cancer, and to see their physicians annually for a professional skin exam; and

Whereas, Greater recognition of the dangers of skin cancer, and of the importance of preventative measures and early detection, is needed among all residents of the State; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. The month of May each year shall be designated as “Skin Cancer Awareness Month” in order to recognize the dangers of skin cancers and to promote prevention and early detection among residents of the State.

2. The Governor shall annually issue a proclamation recognizing May as “Skin Cancer Awareness Month” and shall call upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs.

3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This joint resolution would designate May of each year as “Skin Cancer Awareness Month” in New Jersey in order to recognize the dangers of skin cancers and to promote prevention and early detection.

Skin cancer, the most common form of cancer, occurs when there is damage to deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, in skin cells, most often from excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun and tanning beds. Other causes include exposure to certain chemicals, environmental carcinogens, ionizing radiation, weakened immune systems, and some genetic factors or inherited conditions. Skin cancer is categorized as either non-melanoma or melanoma.

Non-melanoma skin cancers, like basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, often appear as slow-growing bumps or patches on sun-exposed skin. An estimated 5.4 million Americans are diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma each year. Despite a high rate of recovery, estimates suggest that up to 8,000 people die of non-melanoma skin cancer every year in the United States.

Melanoma is less common but far more dangerous due to its aggressive nature and higher likelihood of spreading quickly, originating from pigment cells and often appearing as dark, irregular spots or changing moles. While melanomas can result from a variety of causes, the vast majority are caused by the sun. An estimated 212,200 individuals in the United States will be diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in 2025, of which 8,430 are anticipated to die.

The best form of skin cancer prevention requires a comprehensive approach to protection from harmful ultraviolent radiation, including: seeking shade between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm, avoiding tanning outdoors, never using tanning beds, and applying sun block daily. People are also advised to examine their skin regularly for the warning signs of skin cancer, and to see their physicians annually for a professional skin exam.

This joint resolution requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe “Skin Cancer Awareness Month” with appropriate activities and programs that educate the residents of New Jersey on the dangers of skin cancer and of the importance of preventative measures and early detection.