Cancer Prevention Works: Learn Not to Burn. Start Your Lesson with Skin Cancer Awareness.

Skin Cancer Prevention: Be Sun-Safe for Your Next Outdoor Adventure Are you planning to attend an outdoor festival, going to a sports event, or spending the day at a park? Skin Cancer Prevention Month is here to help you get ready for your outdoor adventures! Knowing what puts you at risk for skin cancer and how to lower your risk is a great way to prepare. What to Know About Skin CancerSkin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States with nearly 5 million people treated for all skin cancers each year. Anyone can get skin cancer, but some characteristics put people at a higher risk such as, having a lighter skin color or skin that burns easily. Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun and other sources such as tanning beds. Skin cancer can be cured if found and treated early. What You Can Do to Lower Your RiskReducing your exposure to UV rays can lower your risk of getting skin cancer. Avoid tanning and sunburns, and use sun safety tips to make protecting your skin a daily habit. Talk to your doctor if you notice unusual moles or changes to your skin. Stay tuned for more tips this month to help you stay sun-safe! Read More

Inspiring Better Health for Women National Women’s Health Week is May 12 – 18, 2019, and encourages women to take steps for better health. This observance is led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office on Women’s Health (OWH), and starts on Mother’s Day each year. This year marks 20 years of motivating women to put their health first and make healthy choices a part of their daily life. Healthy choices such as not smoking (or quitting), getting regular physical activity, avoiding alcohol or limiting the amount, and protecting skin from UV rays can help lower the risk of many cancers that affect women. Knowing your family health history can help you find out if you have a higher risk of cancer and when to start screenings. Take the first step by visiting the doctor for a checkup and getting up-to-date on recommended cancer screenings. Read More Exploring Fertility-Related Experiences After Breast Cancer Diagnosis A new publication based on the Sister Study and Two Sister Study looks at how often fertility awareness, discussions, and the use of preservation options were available among premenopausal women of reproductive age with a breast cancer diagnosis. Among survivors diagnosed between 2004 and 2011, 67% had not discussed the effects of cancer treatment on fertility with a health care provider before or during treatment. Across both studies, approximately 20% of women reported having an interest in future fertility at the time of their breast cancer diagnosis but did not take steps to preserve fertility. Among these women, the most common reasons were concern for an adverse effect on cancer treatment (56%), lack of knowledge (26%), decision to not have children (24%), and cost (18%). Read More New Blog Post Discusses Family History of Cancer Families have different ways of sharing information, especially when it comes to health. For some families, sharing health information may be difficult, but it can be important in understanding individual health risks. In a new blog post, CDC’s Dr. Temeika Fairley shares her experience of learning about her family health history. For Dr. Fairley, discovering a history of ovarian cancer in her family (Aunt Pat), raised questions about increased risks and genetic counseling. Dr. Fairley discusses how fear was a barrier for her family to talk about health, and explains how her work helped her approach the process of collecting her family’s health history. Having these health conversations led to being able to share information with her doctor, and provided the chance to learn more about her family and their history. Read More New Mobile App Helps Find Clinical Trials Patients with late-stage microsatellite stable (MSS) colorectal cancer (CRC) can now find clinical trials with a new mobile application launched by Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC). Late-Stage MSS CRC Clinical Trial Finder mobile app is the result of work from the late Dr. Tom Marsilje, a stage IV CRC patient and scientist who partnered with Fight CRC and Flatiron Health to modernize his efforts and reach more patients. Fight CRC research advocates monitor and update the tool each day. The trial finder makes it possible for patients to discuss potential clinical trials with their medical team in real-time. You can download the new app from the iOS app store and the Android Google Play Store. Read More

Did You Know? Melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer which can spread to other parts of the body, causes about 9,000 deaths each year in the United States. About one-third of U.S. adults get sunburned each year. Sunburn can increase your risk of getting skin cancer.