Marshall, Texas – May 24, 2024 – To encourage everyone to take small steps for sun safety, the Marshall-Harrison County Health District has partnered with the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention and its broad coalition of member organizations to designate the Friday before Memorial Day as “Don’t Fry Day.” This campaign stresses the importance of sun safety awareness and reminds everyone to protect their skin while enjoying the outdoors.
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the nation, with almost 5.5 million cases diagnosed in Americans each year – more than breast, colon, lung and prostate cancers combined. In fact, 1 out of every 5 Americans will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer in their lifetime.1
“Don’t Fry Day is the perfect way to jump start the summer holiday,” says Jennifer Hancock, MHCHD Executive Director. “We are proud to partner with the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention and the other esteemed coalition members to get this life-saving message front and center.”
Skin cancer is highly preventable. Over 90% of all skin cancer is caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or indoor tanning devices. Americans can dramatically reduce their risk of skin cancer by:
- Avoiding sunburns and tanning – no tan is a safe tan,
- Generously applying sunscreen (and remembering to reapply every two hours),
- Wearing sun-protective clothing,
- Seeking shade during peak times of the day (typically 10am-4pm), and
- Using extra caution near water, snow, sand, and other reflective surfaces.
About Don’t Fry Day: “Don’t Fry Day,” is a public awareness campaign that aims to reduce the number of new skin cancer diagnoses by promoting sun safety and encouraging people to protect their skin while enjoying the outdoors. Learn more at https://www.skincancerprevention.org/dfd
National Council members represent the nation’s premiere physicians, researchers, clinicians and advocates for skin cancer prevention. Learn more at www.SkinCancerPrevention.org
