Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to invite residents to participate in the 2015 “Choose Your Cover” program to help reduce the risk of skin cancer this Saturday, August 15.
To promote sun safety and the early detection of skin cancer, this summer the Chronic Disease Coalition of Middlesex and Union Counties is providing free skin cancer screenings along with their “Choose Your Cover” message of prevention.
In Union County, the “Choose Your Cover” event will take place at the Gran Centurions Pool, 440 Madison Hill Road, Clark, on Saturday, August 15, 2015 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The first 20 attendees will receive a special gift bag with skin cancer promotional materials. All attendees will also qualify to enter a drawing for a gift basket courtesy of Clark Township Health Department.
“Summer is a great time to be outdoors enjoying our parks, playgrounds and pools. This program is important to help remind all residents to take precautions to prevent overexposure to the sun,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “I’d like to thank the Chronic Disease Coalition and the Township of Clark for raising public awareness about reducing skin cancer risks.”
Before you head outdoors this summer, representatives from the Chronic Disease Coalition of Middlesex and Union Counties urge you to take sun safe precautions to protect your skin from the damaging rays of the sun.
People who work or play outdoors, fair skinned people who sunburn easily, and those with a family history of melanoma are at an increased risk of developing skin cancer – the most common form of cancer in the United States.
Overexposure to the sun’s UV rays is one of the most preventable risk factors for melanoma and all types of skin cancer. This is why it is so important to ‘choose your cover’ and reduce your risk accordingly.
Covering up your skin with long sleeve shirts and long pants in tightly woven fabrics can offer a great means of protection for your skin. Opt for a wide-brimmed hat over a baseball cap for better protection of your head, ears and neck, and wear sunglasses with 100 percent UVA and UVB absorption to protect the eyes from sun damage.
Look for shady areas or avoid the sun, if possible, during the middle of the day when UV rays are the strongest. Remember to liberally apply a broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher and reapply frequently, and steer clear of indoor tanning beds which are proven to increase your risk for skin cancer.
For more information about “Choose Your Cover” 2015, please call the Union County Office of Health Management at 908-518-5620.