R 198

2018 -- H 8115 Enacted 04/25/2018

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING MAY, 2018, TO BE "NATIONAL MELANOMA AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representatives Handy, Blazejewski, Casimiro, Ackerman, and

Date Introduced: April 25, 2018

WHEREAS, Skin cancer is a serious problem for people who spend significant time in

the sun outdoors and for those who are exposed to ultraviolet light from indoor tanning beds; and

WHEREAS, Melanoma is the most deadly common form of skin cancer; and

WHEREAS, Melanoma is the second most common form of cancer for young adults

aged 15 through 29; and

WHEREAS, Melanoma accounts for a large majority of all skin cancer deaths; and

WHEREAS, Melanoma treatment costs approximately $3.3 billion annually in the United

States; and

WHEREAS, Advocacy, increased awareness, and skin cancer screening will result in a

meaningful reduction in the burden of melanoma; and

WHEREAS, Melanoma rates have more than doubled in Rhode Island since 1991; and

WHEREAS, Professionals at Brown Dermatology, Lifespan Community Health Institute,

The American Cancer Society, The Partnership to Reduce Cancer in Rhode Island and the Rhode

Island Department of Health are working diligently together to raise awareness about the dangers

of sun exposure and indoor tanning, to promote safe ultraviolet exposure behaviors, to recognize

and treat melanoma as early as possible, when it is still curable, and to accomplish the objectives

within the 2013-2018 Rhode Island Cancer Prevention and Control Plan; and

WHEREAS, Across the nation, the month of May is designated as National Melanoma

Awareness Month; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby proclaims May, 2018, to be "National Melanoma Awareness

Month" in the State of Rhode Island and furthermore, encourages all residents to learn more

about the prevention of melanoma and other skin cancers; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Joy Hamer, RN, OCN, President of the Board

of the American Melanoma Foundation, Ms. Melissa Campbell, Chair, Partnership to Reduce

Cancer in Rhode Island, Department of Health, and Dr. John Kawaoka, Brown Dermatology.

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LC005459

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