Surgeon General releases call to action on preventing skin cancer

Washington – The Department of Health and Human Services has released a report that recommends strategies to help reduce skin cancer-related illnesses, deaths and health care costs.

The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent Skin Cancer is aimed at individuals, communities, policymakers, and state and federal government.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, yet most cases are preventable, according to HHS.

The Surgeon General’s report offers the following tips:

• Wear clothing that adequately covers the arms, torso and legs.
• Wear a hat and sunglasses.
• Seek shade.
• Avoid outdoor activities during periods of peak sunlight (such as midday).
• Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher.
• Avoid indoor tanning and sunbathing.

To help raise awareness, the Office of the Surgeon General also hosted a webcast on July 29.

The Food and Drug Administration said in a statement that the call to action is important. New FDA regulations and warning labels for “sunlamp” products such as tanning beds and tanning booths are scheduled to go into effect Sept. 2.