Governor Proclaims Skin Cancer Awareness Month

Skin Cancer Awareness Month

2025

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States and one of the most common cancers in North Carolina; and

Whereas, individuals living in North Carolina were diagnosed with melanoma – the deadliest type of skin cancer – at a rate of 27.1 per 100,000 population from 2018 through 2022, and died from melanoma at a rate of 2.1 per 100,000 population; and

Whereas, the white population is diagnosed with and die from melanoma far more than all minority populations combined in the state, and white males have a much higher incidence and mortality rate from melanoma than white females; and

Whereas, skin cancer is also considered one of the most preventable cancers, and people can actively reduce their risk of skin cancer by applying sunscreen, wearing sun protective clothing and sunglasses, seeking shade, avoiding tanning devices and other artificial sources of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, performing monthly self-examinations, and visiting a health care provider yearly; and

Whereas, the stratospheric ozone later protects Earth from dangerous levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation and the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer has been successful in reducing the emissions of ozone depleting substances, saving millions of people worldwide from developing skin cancer; and

Whereas, the first Monday of May is Melanoma Monday and the Friday before Memorial Day is National Don't Fry Day; both days are designed to raise awareness of skin cancer and to encourage individuals to protect their skin, especially as the summer months begin; and

Whereas, Skin Cancer Awareness Month is an opportunity for all people to make a lifetime commitment to practice sun safety; the State of North Carolina encourages residents to protect themselves and their families against overexposure to UV light from the sun or tanning beds, and to promote sun safety awareness and education in our communities;

Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim May 2025, as “Skin Cancer Awareness Month” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this fifth day of May in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-fifth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.