What You Need to Know

Why is melanoma awareness and early detection important?

• Melanoma takes the life of one person every hour.
• Melanoma is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women, age 20 to 29.
• Melanoma, when caught early, is 90% curable.
• The incidence rate for melanoma has more than doubled since 1973.
• Melanoma is the leading cause of skin cancer-related deaths because it may spread through the lymph nodes or blood systems.
• The National Cancer Institute estimates there will be 59,940 new cases of melanoma in the US and 8,110 deaths from the disease this year.

What has Race Against the Sun done to spread the word about melanoma awareness

and early detection?

• Number of people saved from early detection because of Race Against the Sun and Jessica Coleman:  

At least three.

• Amount of money Race Against the Sun raised for melanoma research during 2007: More than $125,000.
• Number of people participated in Race Against the Sun ‘07: More than 1,200.

How do you know if you are at risk for Melanoma?

• You are fair-skinned.
• You have more than 50 ordinary moles.
• You have a family history of melanoma.
• You have had at least one severe, blistering sunburn.
• You are frequently exposed to UV radiation from the sun or from tanning bed.

 

What can you do to fight melanoma?

• Apply SPF 15 or higher to any exposed skin every day.
• Wear UV-blocking sunglasses and a hat to help block the sun’s rays.
• Limit your exposure to the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Make an appointment to get screened.

How would you know if you should get checked?

• You noticed a new mole.
• A mole changed in appearance or started bleeding.
• You have any brown or black spots that have irregular margins.

Melanoma Information Resources

• For more information, contact the National Cancer Institute (NCI) for a free publication called ‘What You Need to Know About Melanoma.’
• There is a free ‘What You Need to Know About Melanoma’ MP3 download available on www.learnoutloud.com.
• The University of Pennsylvania's Abramson Cancer Center has its 5th annual 'Focus on Melanoma' conference planned for May 2, 2008, in Philadelphia. Click here for more information.

Melanoma

Melanoma 

  What You   Need to Know