Congress, it’s time to act on Melanoma

Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer continues to be a major public health issue. An estimated 160,000 people are expected to be diagnosed with melanoma in 2017 and every hour of every day someone dies from this disease. Each year countless people use indoor tanning beds or lay in the sun despite research showing UV radiation causes cancer. In fact, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified tanning beds and tanning lamps a carcinogenic to humans. This is the highest-risk category – it includes other hazardous substances such as plutonium and certain types of radium. Finally, multiple studies show that age restrictions on tanning beds would save the country both lives and healthcare costs. People say they know to wear sunscreen and protect their skin, but melanoma rates are rising and each year more than 33,800 people visit emergency rooms due to sunburns.

These numbers are staggering and show that although progress has been made, our work is not done. As a melanoma survivor and board chair for the Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF), the largest independent melanoma advocacy organization, I know there is more we can do to help save lives. This week, members of the MRF’s community – which includes melanoma patients, survivors, their families and other loved ones, will be visiting with Congress to urge their support to help eradicate this dangerous disease.

{mosads}We view Congress as a key partner in the fight against melanoma. Their support is essential to advancing key research as well as educational and legislative initiatives. This year, the MRF urges Congress to support the following:

Department of Defense Funded Melanoma Research: We call on Congress to increase funding for melanoma research through the Department of Defense’s Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP). The Senate Appropriations Committee approved its fiscal year 2017 Defense Appropriations bill, which includes $60 million for the program, and we ask that members of the House of Representatives match that total. Our service men and women are at high-risk for developing melanoma. Increasing the funding for PRCRP will ultimately support melanoma research that can bring better treatment options to the members of our military and civilians.

Restrictions to Prevent Minors from Using Tanning Beds: In December of 2015 the FDA issued two proposed rules, including one that would restrict the use of tanning beds by minors. This rule is currently on hold with the Office of Management and Budget. We need Congress to work with the FDA to finalize this proposed rule. What’s at stake if this rule isn’t finalized? The prevention of an estimated 61,839 melanoma cases and 6,735 deaths. Using tanning beds before age 30 increases the risk of developing melanoma by 75 percent, and as many as 90 percent of melanomas are estimated to be caused by UV exposure from both the sun and the lamps used in tanning beds.

Increased funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Skin Cancer Prevention Program: Currently the CDC receives $2 million a year to fund the Skin Cancer Prevention program and that is simply not enough. As one of the only cancers that is highly preventable, we cannot emphasize the importance of educating everyone about the need to protect their skin. We know informed consumers make better decisions and that includes health decisions. We ask that the Fiscal 2018 Labor-HHS Appropriations bill include $5 million for the Skin Cancer Prevention Program. Investing in education about early detection of melanoma and sun safety saves lives and decreases health care costs. 

We know the dangers of exposure to UV radiation and its connection to melanoma, yet people still tan. Although melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, most people think it is something that can be removed via simple surgery.  Now is the time for Congress to come together to help change these beliefs and solve this public health crisis.

Much as patients rely on loved ones and their treatment team to beat the disease, the MRF knows it requires the help of Congress and federal agencies to help eradicate this disease. We ask Congress to take a stand and help melanoma patients, survivors and their families.

Steve Silverstein is Chair of Board of Directors for Melanoma Research Foundation.

The views expressed by this author are their own and are not the views of The Hill.