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Category: Prevention

Barriers to Safety: The Push for Sunscreen Access in Schools

By Charles Brodine, MRA Intern | 17 August 2018 In Prevention

Why are there laws against having sunscreen in school in over half of U.S. states? All it takes is one sunburn during childhood to doublethe risk of melanoma in adulthood. And yet, as of July 2018, only 16 states have passed laws that allow kids to have sunscreen in school. This is a serious problem with a common-sense solution, so what’s the hold up?

Choosing the Right Sunscreen - Your Questions Answered

By Cody R. Barnett, MRA Director of Communications | 2 August 2018 In Prevention

Bold claims and conflicting advice about what goes into a good sunscreen make it easy to feel overwhelmed when buying sunscreen. At MRA, we believe that the best sunscreen is one that you will wear. Provided that it meets three simple rules:

Self-Care is Non-Negotiable: “How Early Detection Saved My Life”

By Charles Brodine, MRA Intern | 15 July 2018 In Melanoma Stories, Prevention

Jackie Labrecque’s life changed with a single phone call when her dermatologist called to tell her that the mole that she tried to ignore for months was melanoma.

Applying AI to Melanoma Detection

5 July 2018 In Prevention, Science

Is AI the future of detecting melanoma early, when it is easiest to cure?

Why it Matters: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Endorses Skin Cancer Prevention Counseling for Children and Young Adults

By Cody R. Barnett, MRA Director of Communications | 20 May 2018 In News, Prevention

This government-backed panel just put skin cancer prevention counseling on the map.

Melanoma Awareness Month: Opportunities to Make a Difference

By Cody R. Barnett, MRA Director of Communications | 30 April 2018 In Prevention

Melanoma Awareness Month, held in May each year, is a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness of the dangers of melanoma, the importance of early detection, and the many ways to practice sun safety. From talking about sun safety to your friends and family, taking the Skin Check Pledge, posting about melanoma on social media, or highlighting prevention strategies in your organization newsletter—there are many ways we can all take part and make a difference!

Take the Skin Check Pledge

By Cody R. Barnett, MRA Director of Communications | 30 April 2018 In Allies & Partnerships, Prevention

MRA and L'Oréal Paris challenge you to take the Skin Check Pledge.For each person who takes the skin check pledge, L'Oréal Paris has committed $100 per sign up, up to $250,000 for 2018. L'Oréal Paris is a featured partner of the Melanoma Research Alliance, committed to supporting research.

"I Thought I Knew Myself, but I Missed It."

By Cody R. Barnett, MRA Director of Communications | 7 February 2018 In Melanoma Stories, Prevention

Jim can’t say enough about his dermatologist who was able to detect his melanoma early enough so that more invasive treatment wasn’t necessary. “I see myself every day. I thought I knew myself, but I missed it. I see her twice a year, and those visits are quick, but she didn’t miss it. She was all over it.” The vigilance of his dermatologist may have saved Jim’s life.

Ten Years of Powerful Research and Results

By Cody R. Barnett, MRA Director of Communications | 13 November 2017 In Allies & Partnerships, Melanoma Stories, News, Prevention, Science

In 2007, when Debra Black was diagnosed with Stage II melanoma, there were few treatment options. In fact, for those diagnosed with late-stage melanoma, only two FDA-Approved treatment options existed, and they only provided a 16% chance at five-year survival. After dealing with her own health concerns, she and her husband knew that they could-and needed- to do more. That’s why later that year they worked with Mike Milken to found MRA and transform the melanoma landscape.

Safe and Sound: Balancing Safety with Innovation in American Sunscreens

By Cody R. Barnett, MRA Director of Communications | 10 October 2017 In Allies & Partnerships, Policy, Prevention

Currently, Americans have access to 16 sunscreen active ingredients approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent skin cancer. The last time a new OTC (Over the Counter) sunscreen ingredient was added to the FDA sunscreen monograph was 1999. Meanwhile, Europeans have access to 29 sunscreen active ingredients. In the United States there are currently eight new sunscreen ingredients that are pending FDA review, which have been used in Europe – many for over ten years. These new, and potentially better, active ingredients could allow sunscreens to last longer and provide better full spectrum coverage that could help us reverse trends of increasing melanoma incidence in this country. Unlike in Europe where sunscreens are classified as cosmetics, in the United States the FDA is required to evaluate all active ingredients in sunscreens as OTC drugs. Meaning, that all U.S. sunscreen ingredients must be found generally recognized as safe and effective (GRASE) in the same manner as other OTC medications. The FDA says that this is critical to keeping us safe, but is it possible to balance innovation and safety?