Delaware General Assembly

CHAPTER 35

FORMERLY

SENATE BILL NO. 103

WHEREAS, melanoma accounts for four percent of all skin cancer cases, but over 79% of skin cancer related deaths; and

WHEREAS, skin cancer in general affects one in five Americans, resulting in more than one million new cases diagnosed each year; and

WHEREAS, there is an approximately 3% annual increase in the number of melanoma cases each year; and

WHEREAS, there is expected to be 8,110 melanoma related deaths this year; and

WHEREAS, the Skin Cancer Foundation expects there to be 59,940 newly diagnosed cases of melanoma in 2008; and

WHEREAS, melanoma is the third most common cancer affecting people aged 20-39; and

WHEREAS, exposure to ultraviolet rays is the most significant environmental factor which leads to cancer; and

WHEREAS, melanoma is curable if detected and treated in its early stages; and

WHEREAS, when detected early, approximately 95% of the cancer cells leading to melanoma can be cured; and

WHEREAS, May is recognized across the United States as National Melanoma and Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month.

NOW THEREFORE:

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend Chapter 6, Title 1 of the Delaware Code by adding a new section thereto to read as follows:

"§606. Melanoma and Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month

The following month shall be commemorated in this State by appropriate ceremonies: the month of May, known as Melanoma and Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month."