The Centers for Disease Control, in a report issued in mid-April, noted young Americans do not heed warnings regarding high-risk activities for skin cancer, adding youth are disregardful of sun-blocking precautions during outdoor activities and are more likely to participate in indoor tanning.
The first of two studies highlighted stated "50 percent reported at least one sunburn in the past year, despite an increase in protective behaviors such as sunscreen use, seeking shade, and wearing long clothing to the ankles."
The second report added "indoor tanning is common among young adults, with the highest rates of indoor tanning among white women aged 18-21 years (32 percent) and 22-25 years (30 percent)."
"More public health efforts, including providing shade and sunscreen in recreational settings, are needed to raise awareness of the importance of sun protection and sunburn prevention to reduce the burden of skin cancer," said Marcus Plescia, M.D., M.P.H., director of CDC's Division of Cancer Prevention and Control.
Skin cancer is the commonest form of cancer in the U.S. The release of new sunscreen guidelines, expected to be submitted by companies by June, was postponed Monday, May 14 for six months by the FDA in an effort to give the firms more time to complete re-packaging. Analysts said this will only lead to more confusion and increased sunburns this summer.
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