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 his or her 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, The average five-year survival rate for individuals
15whose melanoma is detected and treated before it spreads to the
16lymph nodes is 98%, and the survival rate falls to 15% for those
17with advanced disease; and

1WHEREAS, In 2014, the American Cancer Society estimated that
276,100 new cases of melanoma would be diagnosed and that 9,710
3deaths would occur from melanoma; and

4WHEREAS, Melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young
5adults between 25 and 29 years of age and the second most common
6form of cancer for adolescents and young adults between 15 and
729 years of age; and

8WHEREAS, The National Cancer Institute reports that
9approximately $2.4 billion is spent in the United States each
10year on melanoma treatment; and

11WHEREAS, The designation of Melanoma and Skin Cancer
12Detection and Prevention Month is part of a national public
13education campaign that promotes the prevention and early
14detection of melanoma and other skin cancers; therefore be it

15RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the month of May 2014 as
16"Melanoma and Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month" in
17Pennsylvania.