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Breadcrumb Start you are here >Home/LD18/News Releases/2006

June 20, 2006

 

Yatauro, Toback and Gonsalves Host Melanoma Awareness Day for County Employees

Nassau County Legislator Diane Yatauro, along with her fellow members of the Health and Social Services Committee, Chairman Jeffrey Toback (D-Oceanside) and Norma Gonsalves (R-East Meadow), this week joined with Colette Coyne of the Colette Coyne Melanoma Awareness Campaign, to invite employees of the County Executive and Legislative Building (One West Street in Mineola) to participate in Melanoma Awareness Day. The event provided County employees with a number of free services throughout the day to check their skin health and get helpful sun safety tips for the summer.

Legislator Yatauro helps host Melanoma Awareness Day for County Employees
PHOTO CAPTION: Nassau County Legislator Diane Yatauro (D-Glen Cove), right, is pictured with Colette Coyne of the Colette Coyne Melanoma Awareness Campaign. 

“Melanoma is currently the fastest growing cancer in the United States,” said Legislator Yatauro. “However, skin cancer is also the most preventable type of cancer and is very treatable and curable if caught in its early stages. We must all remember to always be diligent when it comes to protecting ourselves and our loved ones from the sun and its dangers.”

About 40 County employees attended and were able to take advantage of several services throughout the day such as a body check by a certified dermatologist, lessons on how to give a self exam, and a skin damage checkup in a derma scan machine.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, and it is increasing faster than any other form of cancer. One in three cancers is a skin cancer, and one in five Americans will develop a skin cancer in his or her lifetime. In addition, one person dies from Melanoma every hour and New York is ranked the 4th highest in the nation with Melanoma Cancer, after California, Florida, and Texas.

For more information on skin cancer and its prevention, please feel free to call Legislator Yatauro’s office at (516) 571-6218 or contact the Colette Coyne Melanoma Awareness Campaign (CCMAC) at (516) 352-4227 or visit their website at www.ccmac.org.

Here are some helpful tips to protect you and your loved ones:

  • Wear protective clothing, large brim hats, long sleeves, pants, and sunglasses.
  • Keep Children under 6 months out of the sun completely.
  • Use sunscreen SPF-15 or more, apply half an hour before sun exposure and reapply every two hours when outdoors.
  • Remember that winter sun is also dangerous, especially at higher altitudes when skiing or hiking.
  • Schedule a yearly body check with a dermatologist and do monthly self body exams.
  • Follow-up with your doctor regularly once a mole is removed.

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