'Don't Fry Day' promotes skin cancer prevention
EPA urges everyone to be smart in the sun
As millions of families prepare to enjoy the great outdoors this weekend, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reminds everyone to bring their hats, sunglasses and sunscreen, and seek shade. The number one preventable risk factor for skin cancer is overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, whether from the sun or artificial sources of light. To educate the public about how to prevent skin cancer and cataracts, EPA has teamed up with the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention to promote sun safety on the Friday before Memorial Day - "Don't Fry Day."
Skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in the
More new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the
Approximately 1,600 men and 1,300 women are diagnosed with melanoma each year in
EPA is promoting Don't Fry Day through its SunWise program, in which students across the country are learning how to Slip, Slop, Slap, Wrap, and Seek Shade: Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen (SPF 15+), slap on a wide-brimmed hat, wrap on sunglasses, and seek shade during midday hours.
SunWise is the nation's largest environmental and health education program aimed at teaching children to protect their skin. On Don't Fry Day, schools will be broadcasting the UV Index over their loud speakers, engaging in SunWise activities, and holding school-wide sun safety events. The UV Index is a forecast of the next-day's peak UV radiation level for any given location in the
To download the EPA's UV Index application for smartphones, go to: http://www.epa.gov/enviro/mobile
For more information, go to the SunWise website: http://www.epa.gov/sunwise