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Skin Cancer Prevention Resources

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, it is also one of the most preventable.

Evidence-based prevention strategies are essential to reducing skin cancer rates and protecting patients. ASDSA supports policies and initiatives that improve access to sun protection, reduce preventable ultraviolet (UV) exposure and promote early detection.

1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70.
Nearly 5.5 Million Cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year.
~50% Regular sunscreen use can reduce melanoma risk by approximately half.
SUNucate & Sunscreen Access in Schools Removing barriers to sunscreen use and promoting sun-safe behaviors for school-aged children

In order to protect students from dangerous UV exposure while outdoors at school or at camps, ASDSA created the SUNucate Coalition. The coalition is comprised of more than 60 medical specialty associations, patient advocacy groups and other organizations that use its collective voice to protect students from dangerous UV exposure.

ASDSA Model Legislation SUNucate

SUNucate is designed to remove unnecessary barriers to sunscreen use by allowing students to possess and use sunscreen in schools and day camps without a prescription or physician's note.

60+ Medical specialty associations, patient advocacy groups and other organizations are part of the SUNucate Coalition.
OTC Access Students may possess and use sunscreen without a prescription or physician's note.
No State Cost The model does not require schools to provide sunscreen or school personnel to apply it.
SUNucate Policy & Resources
What SUNucate Does
Student Access
Allows students to possess and utilize sunscreen in schools and day camps without a prescription or physician's note.
Over-the-Counter Use
Creates a consistent state policy that ensures children have access to FDA-approved sunscreen at school for over-the-counter use.
Removes Barriers
Addresses broad-reaching medication policies that can require a physician's note before a student may bring sunscreen to school.
No State Cost
Does not require schools to provide sunscreen or require school personnel to apply it.
Why Sunscreen Access Matters
CDC Recognizes that school policies prohibiting student possession of sunscreen can create barriers to important sun-protection measures.
USPSTF Supports interventions to help children minimize UV exposure and reduce skin cancer risk.
AMA Policy Supports exempting sunscreen from over-the-counter medication possession bans in schools and allowing students to possess sunscreen without physician authorization.
SUNucate Resources

ASDSA's model legislation and position statement provide additional information on sunscreen access and sun-safe behavior in school-aged children.

SUNucate Model Legislation » Sun-Safe Behavior Position Statement » AMA Sunscreen Policy »
Sunscreen Access & Innovation Federal sunscreen reform, FDA action and ASDSA advocacy to expand access to safe and effective sunscreen ingredients

Congress passed long-awaited sunscreen reform legislation that modernizes the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) review process and will help expand Americans' access to safe, effective and innovative sunscreen ingredients widely used around the world.

Federal Legislative Update SAFE Sunscreen Standards Act Signed Into Law

The SAFE Sunscreen Standards Act (H.R. 3686) was signed into law on November 13, 2025, marking a significant step forward in strengthening the nation's skin cancer prevention efforts.

Nov. 13, 2025 The SAFE Sunscreen Standards Act was signed into law.
20+ Years Bemotrizinol is the first new ingredient added to the OTC sunscreen monograph in more than two decades.
UVA + UVB Bemotrizinol provides protection against both UVA and UVB radiation.
Federal Sunscreen Policy & ASDSA Advocacy
SAFE Sunscreen Standards Act
Modernized Evidence Allows the FDA to consider real-world evidence, non-animal testing data and other modern scientific methods when evaluating ultraviolet filters.
Pending Reviews Pauses pending administrative orders until they can be reviewed under the updated standards.
Implementation Directs the FDA to issue implementation guidance within one year.
Access The reforms address longstanding regulatory barriers that prevented new sunscreen ingredients from reaching U.S. consumers for more than two decades.
FDA Adds Bemotrizinol as a New Sunscreen Active Ingredient

Following passage of the reform, the FDA finalized the addition of bemotrizinol as a new sunscreen active ingredient — the first new ingredient added to the over-the-counter sunscreen monograph in more than 20 years.

Broad Spectrum Bemotrizinol provides protection against both UVA and UVB radiation.
Safety According to the FDA, it has low levels of absorption through the skin and is considered generally recognized as safe and effective (GRASE).
Age The ingredient may be used in adults and children six months of age and older.
Formulation Bemotrizinol was approved for use in sunscreen formulations at concentrations up to six percent.
ASDSA Advocacy & Sunscreen Resources

ASDSA coordinated advocacy efforts for a broad coalition of dermatologic and patient advocacy organizations to advance these reforms.

Capitol Hill ASDSA engaged directly with federal policymakers to advance sunscreen reform.
Coalition Advocacy Coordinated coalition letters and advocacy with dermatologic and patient advocacy organizations.
Congressional Action Worked to keep skin cancer prevention and patient safety a priority and build bipartisan support for legislative action.
SAFE Sunscreen Standards Act » ASDSA Coalition Advocacy » FDA Bemotrizinol Update »
Indoor Tanning & Skin Cancer Prevention Federal and state policy addressing a well-established and preventable risk factor for skin cancer

Indoor tanning remains a well-established and preventable risk factor for skin cancer. Ultraviolet radiation exposure is one of the leading preventable causes of skin cancer, and indoor tanning devices are classified as carcinogenic to humans by the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer.

400,000+ Skin cancer cases annually in the United States are associated with indoor tanning.
~60% Increased melanoma risk associated with indoor tanning use before age 35.
Up to 5× Indoor tanning devices can expose users to UV radiation stronger than natural sunlight.
Federal Policy Update FDA Withdraws 2015 Proposed Indoor Tanning Rule

The FDA withdrew its 2015 proposed rule restricting indoor tanning bed use by minors. The proposed rule would have prohibited individuals under age 18 from using indoor tanning devices and required adult users to acknowledge the associated risks prior to use.

Indoor Tanning Policy & Evidence
Indoor Tanning & Skin Cancer Risk
Cancer Risk Indoor tanning devices are classified as carcinogenic to humans by the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer.
Melanoma Research demonstrates that individuals who use tanning beds 10 or more times increase their melanoma risk by 34 percent, while use before age 35 is associated with nearly a 60 percent increased risk.
UV Exposure Indoor tanning devices can expose users to UV radiation levels up to five times stronger than natural sunlight.
Young Women Young women are disproportionately affected by melanoma associated with indoor tanning exposure.
State Policy & Protection of Minors

States continue to play an important role in protecting minors from indoor tanning exposure. In the absence of a federal standard, protections and requirements vary across jurisdictions, creating differences in how prevention policies are implemented nationwide.

ASDSA will continue to monitor developments and opportunities that support skin cancer prevention at both the federal and state levels.

ASDSA Position & Indoor Tanning Resources

ASDSA's position statement on Indoor Tanning provides additional background on this issue.

FDA Withdrawal » ASDSA Indoor Tanning Position Statement »
Additional Skin Cancer Prevention Resources Federal initiatives, prevention research, recent policy updates and additional sun-safety resources
Federal Prevention Initiative Surgeon General Call to Action to Prevent Skin Cancer

Amid rising skin cancer rates, in July 2014, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Boris Lushniak released a Call to Action to Prevent Skin Cancer.

Public Health Impact
The Call to Action identified skin cancer as a major public health problem, noting that nearly 5 million people were treated for skin cancer in the United States each year at an estimated annual cost of $8.1 billion.
Prevention
The initiative focused national attention on preventable risk factors, including indoor tanning, and encouraged public education and policy efforts to reduce harmful UV exposure.
ASDSA Advocacy
ASDSA led 23 other organizations in urging the U.S. Surgeon General to renew the Call to Action and develop a plan to spur meaningful progress in addressing skin cancer.
ASDSA Coalition Letter »
Research & Evidence Skin Cancer Prevention Research & Data
Early UV Exposure More than 40 percent of an individual's lifetime UV exposure occurs before age 20.
Sunburn More than 88 million adults in the United States get at least one sunburn each year, and over 18 million get sunburned four or more times.
Melanoma Risk Even one blistering sunburn during childhood or adolescence more than doubles a person's risk of developing melanoma later in life.
Sun Protection Daily sun protection, shade access and sun-protective clothing help reduce cumulative UV damage.
Early Detection Regular skin examinations support early detection of skin cancer, including melanoma.
CDC Sunburn Data »
Latest Resources Recent News & Policy Updates
Sunscreen
Indoor Tanning

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