[StBernard] Partnerships and Stewardship News Release (Region 6): EPA Asks Louisiana Residents to Fight #1 Cancer in U.S. with

[Westley Annis]

EPA Asks Louisiana Residents to Fight #1 Cancer in U.S. with 

"Don't Fry Day" (Friday, May 27) 

  

(DALLAS - May 23, 2011)  Every hour, one American dies from skin cancer -
the number one cancer in the U.S.  To help people learn easy ways to combat
the disease, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SunWise program has
partnered with the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention to designate
the Friday before Memorial Day (May 27) as "Don't Fry Day." EPA encourages
Louisiana residents to learn about and practice sun-safe behaviors this
Don't Fry Day to reduce overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation - the
main cause of skin cancer. 

  

"This is the perfect time of year to remind people to protect themselves and
their family members from too much sun by taking simple steps like putting
on sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a t-shirt," said EPA Regional
Administrator Al Armendariz.  "Teaching sun safety is crucial because nearly
half of all new cancers diagnosed in the United States each year are skin
cancers." 

  

Each Memorial Day weekend, millions of Americans kick off the summer season
and begin enjoying the great outdoors. Though skin cancer risks exist all
year long, the dangers are even greater during the summer months, when the
days are longer, and more people are outside for longer periods of time. 

  

For "Don't Fry Day," EPA encourages Louisiana residents to practice the
Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap safety tips, which include: 

*	Slip on a shirt, preferably with sleeves; 
*	Slop on SPF 15+ sunscreen generously; 
*	Slap on a hat; and 
*	Wrap on sunglasses. 

  

SunWise also recommends that families seek shade during the sun's peak hours
between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Checking the UV Index to plan outdoor activities
is also key for identifying times that pose the greatest risk for
overexposure to the sun. 

  

In the U.S., skin cancer affects more than two million people each year,
outnumbering the cases of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers combined.
One in five Americans will develop the disease in their lifetime. Meanwhile,
melanoma-the most serious form of skin cancer- is on the rise. It is the
most common cancer among young adults ages 25 to 29. 



For more on "Don't Fry Day" and additional sun safety resources, including a
sun safety packing list and new public service announcements created by kids
in K-8, go to: http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/dfd.html
<http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/dfd.html> . 

  

EPA's SunWise program is a national environmental and health education
program that teaches children and their caregivers how to be safe in the sun
through the use of classroom, school and community-based components. To
learn more about free SunWise resources, download the UV Index widget or
smart phone application, or sign up to receive daily UV Index forecasts,
visit www.epa.gov/sunwise. 

  

More information on "Don't Fry Day" and additional sun safety resources is
available at http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/dfd.html
<http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/dfd.html>  

  

More about activities in EPA Region 6 is available at
http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.html
<http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.html>  

  

EPA audio file is available at
http://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/podcst/may2011.html
<http://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/podcst/may2011.html>  

  

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