MRF Legislative and funding alerts - Melanoma Caregivers

Melanoma Caregivers

MRF Legislative and funding alerts

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From the Melanoma Research Foundation:

ACT NOW!

The MRF advocates on behalf of melanoma patients and their loved ones across the country to transform melanoma care and advance better outcomes. Join in our efforts by taking two minutes to add your voice on two important policy issues below!

Urge Your House Representative to Support Defense-Funded Melanoma Research!

The U.S. is failing in melanoma prevention, and it is particularly impacting the military. With more funding allocated to melanoma research, we can do better!

Here are the facts:

Skin Cancer in the Military

Warfighters have higher rates of skin cancer compared to civilians but report low rates of skin cancer awareness and dermatologic care.

There are multiple reasons for an increased rate of melanoma among warfighters, including inadequate sunscreen access, insufficient emphasis on sun protections and prioritizing immediate safety concerns over preventative care.

Active duty service members are also exposed to significant risk factors for melanoma, such as high rates of intense UV exposure, exposure to chemicals associated with melanoma (polychlorinated biphenyls) and exposure to jet exhaust and ionizing radiation.

Demonstrated Need for Additional Research Dollars

According to DOD/CDMRP/MRP staff, the Program Announcement associated with the Fiscal 2019 CDMRP Melanoma Research Program (MRP) received 163 competitive applications.

Only 17 awards - less than 11% of applicants - were granted in 2019. The lower rate of percent would indicate several strong proposals that could advance the work but were not funded due to insufficient resources.

Of the 146 applications that will not be funded, 34% of them were considered excellent and outstanding.

Tell Congress with over 1.3 million Americans living with melanoma, we cannot afford to leave life-saving research on the table!

TAKE ACTION: p2a.co/dsTTaxJ

Urge Your Lawmakers to Ban The Tan!

The United States Department of Health and Human Services and the World Health Organization's International Agency of Research on Cancer panel have declared ultraviolet radiation from the sun and artificial sources, such as tanning beds and sun lamps, to be a known carcinogen (cancer-causing substance).

It is critical that you contact your legislators and ask them to urge the Food and Drug Administration to finalize the proposed rule entitled “General and Plastic Surgical Devices: Restricted Sale, Distribution, and Use of Sunlamp Products,” published in the Federal Register on December 22, 2015.

Here are the facts:

Each year, more than 419,000 cases of skin cancer, including both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer, are linked to indoor tanning in the U.S. alone.

Excessive exposure to UV radiation during indoor tanning can lead to premature skin aging, immune suppression and eye damage, including cataracts and ocular melanoma. In fact, using tanning beds before age 35 can increase your chances of developing melanoma by 75%; the risk increases with each use.

The proposed rule, once finalized, would prohibit any tanning facility from permitting any person less than 18 years of age, regardless of whether the person has the permission of a parent or guardian, to use tanning equipment or any device that emits ultraviolent (UV) radiation used for tanning of the skin, such as a sunlamp, tanning booth or tanning bed.

Lend your voice along with advocates from across the country and contact your legislators today to ensure that a federal ban on indoor tanning devices for minors under the age of 18 without a prescription is an immediate priority.

TAKE ACTION: p2a.co/feYmKsA

I have written to my representatives. This will sort to your representative based on your voter registered address you indicate on the web forms.

Missy

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