1Recognizing the month of May 2014 as "Melanoma and Skin Cancer
2Detection and Prevention Month" in Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, Most people do not realize that the skin is the
4largest and most visible organ of the body and performs many
5essential tasks, such as regulating body temperature, protecting
6internal organs, providing sensation and supporting metabolic
7functions; and

8WHEREAS, Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the
9United States; and

10WHEREAS, Current estimates are that one in five Americans
11will develop skin cancer in their lifetime; and

12WHEREAS, Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer
13and it is the leading cause of death from skin disease; and

14WHEREAS, When detected early, the survival rate for patients

1with melanoma is about 91%, and the survival rate falls to 15%
2for those with advanced disease; and

3WHEREAS, In 2014, the American Cancer Society estimated that
476,100 new cases of melanoma would be diagnosed and that 9,710
5deaths would occur from melanoma; and

6WHEREAS, Melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young
7adults between 25 and 29 years of age and the second most common
8form of cancer for adolescents and young adults between 15 and
929 years of age; and

10WHEREAS, The National Cancer Institute reports that
11approximately $1.9 billion is spent in the United States each
12year on melanoma treatment; and

13WHEREAS, The Melanoma and Skin Cancer Detection and
14Prevention Month is a public education service designated to
15promote the prevention and early detection of melanoma and other
16skin cancers; therefore be it

17RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
18month of May 2014 as "Melanoma and Skin Cancer Detection and
19Prevention Month" in Pennsylvania.