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EPA Raises Awareness on Skin Cancer Prevention with “Don’t Fry Day” Campaign Agency urges everyone to be smart in the sun

Release Date: 05/27/2010
Contact Information: Dave Ryan (News Media Only) Ryan.dave@epa.gov 202-564-7827 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON — As millions of families prepare to enjoy the great outdoors over the Memorial Day weekend, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reminds everyone to bring their hats, sunglasses and sunscreen, and seek shade. EPA has teamed up with the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention to promote sun safety on May 28 – “Don’t Fry Day.” The number one preventable risk factor for skin cancer is overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, whether from the sun or an artificial light source.

More new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year than new cases of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancer combined, with more than 1 million Americans affected every year. While the incidence of many common cancers is falling, the incidence of melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, continues to rise significantly. Melanoma is now one of the most common cancers among young adults ages 15 to 29.

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, many 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 U.S..

More information on SunWise: https://www.epa.gov/sunwise

Download the EPA’s UV Index application for smartphones: https://www.epa.gov/enviro/mobile