the size of a pencil eraser, can be recognized by their
asymmetry, border irregularity, color variation and evolving
size, shape and color; and
WHEREAS, Melanoma is almost always curable if it is
recognized and treated early, but if melanoma is not detected,
it can spread to other parts of the body where it becomes harder
to treat and is often fatal; and
WHEREAS, Melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young
adults 25 to 29 years of age and the second most common form of
cancer for young individuals 15 to 29 years of age; and
WHEREAS, An individual's risk for developing melanoma doubles
if the individual had more than five sunburns and triples if the
individual occasionally uses a tanning bed; and
WHEREAS, Even one indoor tanning session increases the user's
chance of developing melanoma by 20%, and each additional
session during the same year increases the user's risk by
another 2%; and
WHEREAS, An individual also has a higher chance of developing
melanoma if the individual has a large number of moles, fair
skin, a weakened immune system or a personal or family history
of melanoma; and
WHEREAS, The National Cancer Institute estimated that the
cost of treating melanoma in 2020 was $3.16 billion, up from
$2.36 billion in 2010; and
WHEREAS, These costs will continue to rise as incidences of
melanoma climb nearly 2% annually in the United States and 5%
annually in this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Residents of this Commonwealth can significantly
reduce their chances of developing melanoma by limiting their
time in the sun when rays are most intense between 10 a.m. and 4
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