PRINTER'S NO. 1305
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
227
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY KULIK, DRISCOLL, BAKER, READSHAW, DONATUCCI,
SCHLOSSBERG, CALTAGIRONE, MACKENZIE, MARSICO, DiGIROLAMO,
MURT, KINSEY, MILLARD, ENGLISH, HENNESSEY, DUSH, SONNEY,
NEILSON, BIZZARRO, A. HARRIS, R. BROWN, WARD, FREEMAN,
QUIGLEY, FARRY, DeLUCA, WARREN, LONGIETTI, GOODMAN, SOLOMON,
CONKLIN AND GILLEN, APRIL 10, 2017
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
APRIL 10, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Designating May 1, 2017, as "Melanoma Monday" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Melanoma is a cancer that begins in the melanocytes
and can also be known as malignant melanoma and cutaneous
melanoma; and
WHEREAS, Melanomas can develop anywhere on the skin, however,
they are more likely to appear on the trunk in men and on the
legs in women; and
WHEREAS, Melanomas are also common on the neck and face; and
WHEREAS, Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays is a major risk
factor for melanomas, with sunlight serving as the main source
of UV rays, however, tanning beds and sun lamps are also sources
of artificial UV rays; and
WHEREAS, An individual's risk of developing melanoma is
higher if one or more first degree relatives, including parents,
brothers, sisters or children have been diagnosed with melanoma;
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and
WHEREAS, Approximately 10% of all individuals with melanoma
have a family history of the disease; and
WHEREAS, Experts recommend that individuals, especially those
with a family history of melanoma, see a dermatologist regularly
for a whole-body skin exam and conduct self head-to-toe skin
exams once a month and be particularly careful about sun
protection and avoiding artificial UV rays; and
WHEREAS, Melanoma is one of the most common cancers in
individuals under 30 years of age; and
WHEREAS, The risk of developing melanoma increases with age;
and
WHEREAS, In the United States, men have a higher rate of
melanoma than women, although this varies by age; and
WHEREAS, The risk is higher for women under 50 years of age
and the risk is higher for men over 50 years of age; and
WHEREAS, The most important warning sign of melanoma is a new
spot on the skin or a spot that changes in size, shape or color;
and
WHEREAS, Other warning signs of melanoma include a sore that
does not heal, spread of pigment from the border of a spot into
surrounding skin, redness or swelling beyond the border of the
mole, change in sensation, including itchiness, tenderness or
pain or change in the surface of a mole, including scaliness,
oozing, bleeding or the appearance of a lump or bump; and
WHEREAS, Melanoma accounts for less than 1% of skin cancers,
however, it causes a majority of skin cancer deaths; and
WHEREAS, In the United States in 2017, the American Cancer
Society estimates that approximately 87,110 new melanomas will
be diagnosed, resulting in approximately 9,730 deaths; and
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WHEREAS, Early-stage melanomas can often be treated with
surgery alone, however, more advanced cancers often require
other treatments, including immunotherapy, targeted therapy,
chemotherapy or radiation therapy; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate May 1,
2017, as "Melanoma Monday" in Pennsylvania to raise awareness of
the causes and risk factors of melanoma and to promote
prevention and early detection of melanoma among all residents
of this Commonwealth.
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