It’s ‘Don’t Fry Day’

To help reduce rising rates of skin cancer from overexposure to the ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun, the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention has designated the Friday before Memorial Day as “Don’t Fry Day” to encourage sun safety awareness and to remind everyone to protect their skin while enjoying the outdoors.
 
The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention,  founded in 1998, serves as a united voice to prevent skin cancer through education, advocacy and raising awareness. The National Council brings support, encouragement, and connection to more than 45 organizations, agencies, and associations. Members represent the nation’s premier researchers, clinicians, and advocates for melanoma and skin cancer prevention.
 
In its campaign, the council recommends several steps to protect against overexposure to UV radiation, because, as it contends, “no single step can fully protect you and your family from overexposure to UV radiation.” It suggests consumers follow as many of the following tips as possible, including: do not burn or tan, seek shade, wear sun-protecive clothing, and “generously apply sunscreen.” It also suggests that consumers get their vitamin D “safely.”
 
Skin cancer is on the rise in the US, and the American Cancer Society estimates that one American dies every hour from skin cancer. This year alone, the American Cancer Society estimates there will be more than 73,870 new cases of malignant melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, and more than two million new cases of basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers in the US.