R 261
2022 -- S 2911
Enacted 05/03/2022

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N
COMMEMORATING MAY OF 2022, AS "NATIONAL SKIN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Senator Maryellen Goodwin

Date Introduced: April 28, 2022

     WHEREAS, Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States and worldwide,
with more than five million cases being diagnosed in the United States annually, more than 9,500
every day, and more than two people who die of the disease every hour; and
     WHEREAS, More people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the United States
than all other cancers combined. At least one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the
age of 70. Actinic Keratosis is the most common pre-cancer, affecting more than 58 million
Americans. The annual cost of treating skin cancers in the United States is estimated at $8.1
billion; and
     WHEREAS, Skin cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer. Approximately
90 percent of non-melanoma skin cancers and 85 percent of melanoma cases are associated with
exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Having five or more sunburns doubles your risk for
melanoma; and
     WHEREAS, When detected early, the five-year survival rate for melanoma is 99 percent.
Advocacy, increased awareness, promoting ultraviolet light protection, and skin cancer screening
will result in a meaningful reduction in the burden of skin cancer; and
     WHEREAS, Members of the Partnership to Reduce Cancer in Rhode Island, physicians
at Brown Dermatology, the Rhode Island Department of Health’s Comprehensive Cancer Control
Program, and Lifespan Community Health Institute are diligently working cooperatively to
accomplish statewide Skin Cancer Prevention; now, therefore be it
     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby commemorates May
of 2022, as "National Skin Cancer Awareness Month" in the State of Rhode Island; 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 the Partnership to Reduce Cancer in Rhode
Island, Brown Dermatology, the Rhode Island Department of Health’s Comprehensive Cancer
Control Program, and the Lifespan Community Health Institute.
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LC005771
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