99 STAT. 16
PUBLIC LAW 99-6—MAR. 22, 1985 Public Law 99-6 99th Congress
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Joint Resolution Mar. 22, 1985 [H.J. Res. 85]
To designate the week of March 24, 1985, through March 30, 1985, as "National Skin Cancer Prevention and Detection Week".
Whereas skin cancer, including melanoma and nonmelanoma t j ^ s, is the most common cancer in the United States, accounts for between 30 and 40 per centum of all cancers, and is increasing at a significant rate; Whereas the 1983 National Institutes of Health Consensus Conference on Precursors to Malignant Melanoma found that the incidence of melanoma and the number of deaths from melanoma are increasing in many areas of the world, and found evidence that early recognition and surgical removal of melanoma makes it a highly curable cancer; Whereas eighteen thousand Americans will develop a primary melanoma and over five hundred thousand Americans will develop nonmelanoma skin cancer this year; Whereas epidemiological studies have shown that the incidence of melanoma has doubled every decade since the 1930's and is now increasing at a faster rate than any other cancer except lung cancer in women; Whereas melanoma has a fatality rate of 25 per centum and causes five thousand deaths per year, and nonmelanoma skin cancer causes another two thousand deaths per year; Whereas patients at increased risk of developing melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers can be identified, and early treatment of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers results in high cure rates for such cancers; Whereas sun exposure is an undisputed cause of nonmelanoma skin cancer and is an important factor in the development of melanoma; Whereas the number of skin cancers can be reduced through sun protection measures such as the use of sunscreening topical lotions and simple changes in lifestyle; Whereas Americans should become aware that melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers are major health problems, and education of the general public about prevention of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers should become a national concern; Whereas the American Academy of Dermatology and State and local dermatologic organizations are committed to heightening the awareness and understanding of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers among members of the general public and the health care community; and Whereas the first national Melanoma and Skin Cancer Prevention and Detection Program, a coordinated national voluntary effort of professional dermatologic organizations to reduce the increasing incidence of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers and to better control such cancers, will occur during the week of March 24, 1985, through March 30, 1985: Now, therefore, be it
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