Schaumburg, U.S.A. – The City of Chicago City Council approved Alderman Debra Silverstein’s ordinance to prohibit minors under the age of 18 from using indoor tanning beds at Chicago salons. This important action is based on significant scientific evidence that indoor tanning is undeniably linked to increased risk of developing melanoma and other forms of skin cancer.

“The American Academy of Dermatology Association is proud to have supported this ordinance and commends Alderman Silverstein and the City of Chicago for being leaders in the fight against melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, and non-melanoma skin cancers,” said Daniel M. Siegel, MD, FAAD, president of the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA). “A ban on indoor tanning for minors is critical to preventing skin cancer. Melanoma incidence rates have been increasing for the last 30 years, with the most rapid increases occurring among young, white women, the most common users of indoor tanning beds. Prohibiting minors’ access to indoor tanning stops this behavior before it can become a habit that continues into adulthood.”

More than 3.5 million skin cancers in more than 2 million people are diagnosed annually. The American Cancer Society estimates one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. In Illinois, approximately 2,460 people will be diagnosed with melanoma this year, making the state the eighth highest in number of new melanoma cases in the U.S. An estimated 360 people in Illinois will die this year from melanoma.

In addition to the AADA’s support, the ordinance also was supported by the American Cancer Society, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association, the Chicago Department of Health, the Illinois Dermatologic Society, Skin of Steel and AIM at Melanoma.

“This ordinance will protect young people who do not fully understand that they are hurting themselves when they tan,” said Dr. Siegel. “Prevention is one of the most valuable tools that we have as dermatologists. We need to continue educating patients about the risks of indoor tanning and encouraging healthy decisions to help prevent skin cancer.”

The United States Department of Health and Human Services proclaimed in 2002 that ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and artificial sources, such as tanning beds and sun lamps, is a known carcinogen. Yet, nearly 30 million people tan indoors in the United States annually. Of these, 2.3 million are teens.

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Washington, U.S.A. – Despite skin cancer being largely preventable, it remains by far the most common type of cancer in the United States. There are more than 3.5 million cases of skin cancer diagnosed in more than two million people each year, which is more than new cases of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers combined.

To help reduce rising rates of skin cancer, the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention designated the Friday before Memorial Day, May 25, 2012, as “Don’t Fry Day.”

This year, the National Council urges everyone to go beyond sunscreen to protect their skin while enjoying the outdoors. While generous sunscreen usage is an important way to protect your skin from the sun, there are additional sun-safety measures that can help prevent skin cancer:

• Avoid sun burning, intentional tanning, and using tanning beds;
• Wear sun-protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses;
• Seek the shade when you can. Use umbrellas or other shade structures when outdoors.
• Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand;
• Get vitamin D safely through food and vitamin D supplements.

“As millions of Americans head outdoors for family fun on Memorial Day weekend – the unofficial kick-off to summer – “Don’t Fry Day” is an important reminder for the public to protect their skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation while enjoying the outdoors,” said board-certified dermatologist Sandra I. Read, M.D., co-chair of the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention. “While most everyone enjoys a sunny day, keeping your skin safe from overexposure to UV radiation can be easy by practicing simple sun-safety tips.”

When choosing a sunscreen, the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention recommends a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher for protection from ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Sunscreen should be applied 15 minutes before going outdoors and reapplied every two hours.

Skin cancer is on the rise in the U.S. Here are some statistics:

• There are more than 3.5 million new cases of skin cancer diagnosed and 2.2 million people treated in the U.S. each year.
• The American Cancer Society estimates that 76,250 cases of melanoma (the most serious form of skin cancer) will be diagnosed in 2012 in the U.S., and 9,180 people will die from the disease.
• Melanoma incidence rates have been increasing for at least 30 years. Since 2004, incidence rates among whites have been increasing by almost 3% per year in both men and women.
• Most skin cancers are caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
• Sunburns during childhood increase the risk of melanoma and other skin cancers later in life.
• Melanoma is now one of the most common cancers among young adults ages 15-29.

To minimize the harmful effects of too much UV exposure, the National Council advocates that comprehensive protection from UV radiation should be a life-long, year-round practice for everyone.

For more information on how to protect yourself from skin cancer, visit the National Council’s site. The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention is the united voice of more than 40 organizations, associations, and agencies dedicated to reducing skin cancer morbidity and mortality in the United States. Council members represent some of the nation’s premier physicians, researchers, clinicians and advocates for melanoma and skin cancer prevention.

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The International Window Film Association (IWFA), a non-profit organization, is educating the public on window film use for residential and commercial applications, to reduce harmful solar glare, while delivering significant energy savings.

“People often wear sunglasses outdoors during winter months to protect from glare and UV rays, but glare is ever-present inside too,” said Darrell Smith, executive director of the IWFA.  “With winter sun lower in the sky, it passes directly into windows with damaging effects on furnishings and art, along with unhealthy ultraviolet (UV) rays’ impact on people’s eyes and skin,” he added.

In northern states, snow on the ground can reflect up to 85% of harmful UV rays upwards, according to the Vision Counsel of America. This magnifies the issue of glare coming into windows, added Darrell Smith. “A simple, cost-effective solution is professionally installed window film to make interior environments more enjoyable.”

Glare issues can be ameliorated by window film, which uses advanced technology to deliver energy savings similar to low-e windows. Window film is available in a range of shades from clear to darker. It reduces glare and still allows adequate light in while blocking UV rays that can harm skin and eyes, and fade furniture, carpets and fabrics.

According to the IWFA, window films may also eliminate uncomfortable hot spots by blocking solar heat.  This enables HVAC systems to work more efficiently. For larger commercial and office buildings, which run heating and cooling systems year-round, energy savings are even more significant.

For more information on protecting a home or office from glare, please visit www.iwfa.com online for facts on UV protection and to locate a professional near you who can conduct an energy savings audit and share window film options to best meet your needs.

About the International Window Film Association:
The International Window Film Association (IWFA) (www.iwfa.com) is a unified industry body of window film dealers, distributors, and manufacturers that facilitates the growth of the industry by providing unbiased research, influencing policy and promoting awareness of window film. The organization builds alliances with trade associations, utilities and government agencies to advance dealers and distributors businesses and provide value to their customers.

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