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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Most people do not realize that the skin is the
3largest and most visible organ of the body and performs many
4essential tasks; and
 
5    WHEREAS, More than one million new cases of skin cancer
6will be diagnosed in the United States this year; one in five
7Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetime; and
 
8    WHEREAS, In 2016, it is estimated that there will be 76,000
9new cases of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer,
10diagnosed in the United States, including an estimated 2,480
11Illinois residents; and
 
12    WHEREAS, An estimated 335 people die of melanoma in
13Illinois every year; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Melanoma and other skin cancers are highly
15treatable if detected early; sun exposure is the most
16preventable risk factor for all skin cancers, including
17melanoma; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Steps can be taken to reduce exposure to
19ultraviolet radiation, such as wearing sunscreen of SPF 15 or
20higher, protective clothing, sunglasses, and avoiding sunlight

 

 

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1between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Drivers in the United States have a higher degree
3of skin cancer on the left side of their face due to exposure
4to ultraviolet rays while driving; and
 
5    WHEREAS, In cars, only the laminated windshield comes with
6ultraviolet radiation protection; the side and back windows
7allow in more than 60% of ultraviolet radiation; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Research has shown that ultraviolet radiation
9damage is more extensive on the side of the body closer to the
10window; long-time drivers also have rougher, slacker, and more
11wrinkled skin on their window side; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Babies and young children, who have little
13protective skin pigment, often sit in the back of vehicles,
14where none of the glass (even darker glass found in SUVs and
15minivans) offers adequate ultraviolet radiation protection;
16and
 
17    WHEREAS, Ultraviolet radiation-filtering window film can
18go a long way to prevent skin damage; UV absorbers in the form
19of transparent films are available for the side and back
20windows of vehicles in all 50 states; the film screens out more
21than 99% of ultraviolet radiation without reducing visibility;

 

 

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1and
 
2    WHEREAS, Each May, the American Academy of Dermatology
3sponsors Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month,
4a public education campaign designed to promote the prevention
5and early detection of melanoma and other skin cancers through
6screenings and prevention methods; therefore, be it
 
7    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
8NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
9designate May of 2016 as Skin Cancer Awareness Month in order
10to raise awareness of skin cancer and the means to successfully
11prevent and treat this deadly disease; and be it further
 
12    RESOLVED, That the citizens of this State are urged to
13receive skin cancer screening and seek other prevention methods
14to prevent and detect skin cancer.