PCL1 Las Vegas Aviators

Melanoma andSkinCancer on the Rise in Nevada

Published on May 8, 2010 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Las Vegas Aviators News Release


LAS VEGAS -- Cover Up, Nevada!, an outreach campaign aimed at warning residents of the danger of exposure to the harsh Nevada sun, will kick off May 10 at various locations in Southern Nevada.

Melanoma and skin cancer prevention advocates and educators are sponsoring a booth equipped with a skin analyzer machine to detect sun damage, skin cancer prevention material and free sunscreen. The public is encouraged to stop by the following locations to become equipped for exposure to the summer sun:

Monday, May 10 10am - 1pm Clark

County Government Center

Tuesday, May 11 10am - 1pm

Southern Nevada Health District

Thursday, May 13 6pm - 9pm Las

Vegas 51s (game ticket required)

Friday, May 14 11:30am - 2:30pm William

Pearson Community Center

Cover Up, Nevada! was developed by Nevada State Senator Allison Copening, skin cancer prevention advocates and community organizations including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. The focus of the campaign is to encourage Nevada residents to "cover up" their skin by applying sunscreen daily, putting on a hat and sunglasses, and wearing protective clothing.

According to the American Dermatological Association (ADA), 1 in 20 Americans will be diagnosed with some level of skin cancer in their lives. The ADA further states that every hour in America a person dies from Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. In Nevada, with nearly year-round sunshine, the stakes can be much higher. It is estimated that approximately 500 cases of Melanoma will be diagnosed in Nevada this year, with 75 of those cases resulting in death.

Cover Up, Nevada! 2-2-2

"Through research, improved treatment options, early detection, and preventive screening, the medical community has achieved great results in reducing many cancers and improving survivorship rates," stated Tom McCoy from the American Cancer Society. "However, Melanoma is increasing in incidence and deaths each year."

McCoy says that because of the number of sunny days in Nevada, coupled by people who spend time in the sun without protection or use tanning beds, there has been an upward trend of skin cancers in Nevada. "More education and awareness is needed especially in areas of outdoor employment and for parents with children who are being exposed to natural and artificial ultra-violet rays."

Senate Concurrent Resolution 28, sponsored by Senator Copening during the 2009 Legislative Session, declared the second week in May as "Melanoma and Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Week in Nevada." In 2008, Copening lost her brother, Michael Mellott, to Melanoma. He was a native Las Vegas resident who worked in the construction industry and was constantly exposed to sun.

The same day SCR 28 passed both the Senate and the Assembly, an event was held at the legislative building in Carson City that attracted approximately 250 legislators, lobbyists, and legislative staff. Of those who stopped by the booth, educators recommended to a handful of people that they see a dermatologist to check out suspicious moles. Later, several people who attended the event shared with the coordinators that they had been diagnosed with skin cancer and were successfully treated.

"When I learned that this simple event helped three people detect skin cancer before it was too late, it brought tears to my eyes," stated Copening. "I thought about my brother who didn't survive and then I thought about the hundreds that might be saved by creating greater awareness. These people are the inspiration behind the development of this campaign."

A grant to fund Cover Up, Nevada! was provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in cooperation with the Nevada State Department of Health and the Nevada Cancer Coalition.

In addition to the American Cancer Society, participants of the week-long events include the Nevada Cancer Institute, the Melanoma Education Foundation, Melanoma survivor and former reporter Stacey Escalante, Mrs. Nevada April Swartz who is a skin cancer survivor, and advocates who have lost family members to Melanoma.

Check out the Las Vegas Aviators Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Pacific Coast League Stories from May 8, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central