WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today the U.S. House of Representatives voted on and passed the Sunscreen Innovation Act (SIA), sending a clear message to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that it must address the 12 year backlog of new sunscreen filters waiting to be approved and released for consumer access. The bipartisan, bicameral SIA, first introduced by Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA), and Congressmen Ed Whitfield (R-KY) and John Dingell (D-MI), seeks to streamline the FDA review process so the public can gain access to the most effective and innovative sunscreen products.

 

“We are seeing the incidence of melanoma rise at epidemic rates, particularly among young women,” said Tim Turnham, Executive Director of the Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF). “This act will open the door to more consumer choice when it comes to protection from the UV radiation that causes most melanomas.”

 

The majority of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, can be attributed to Ultra Violet (UV) exposure. It is the leading cause of cancer death in women in their 20s and the number of diagnoses are increasing every year, emphasizing the need for greater prevention efforts. The SIA was introduced to not only to urge the FDA to expedite its review and approval process, but also hold the FDA accountable for the important role it should play in preventing future melanoma diagnoses and deaths.

 

Each year there are more new cases of skin cancer than the combined incidence of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers. Helping to educate about the need for the SIA is the PASS (Public Access to SunScreens) Coalition. The MRF is a Charter Member of the PASS Coalition, which was created to work collaboratively with the FDA, Congress, the White House, health providers, consumer organizations and stakeholders to establish a regulatory pathway for timely pre-market review of new, safe and effective sunscreen ingredients.

 

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Melanoma is one of the fastest growing cancers in the United States and can strike men and women of all ages, all races and skin types. With a one in 50 lifetime risk of developing melanoma, nearly 77,000 Americans are expected to be diagnosed with the disease in 2014, resulting in almost 10,000 deaths. Melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults 25- to 29-years-old and the second most common cancer in adolescents and young adults 15- to 29-years-old. The majority of melanomas occur on the skin; in fact, melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. Melanoma can also occur in the eye (ocular, or uveal melanoma), in mucous membranes (mucosal melanoma), or even beneath fingernails or toenails. 

 

The Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) is the largest independent organization devoted to melanoma. Committed to the support of medical research in finding effective treatments and eventually a cure for melanoma, the MRF also educates patients and physicians about prevention, diagnosis and the treatment of melanoma. The MRF is an active advocate for the melanoma community, helping to raise awareness of this disease and the need for a cure. The MRF’s website is the premier source for melanoma information seekers. More information is available at www.melanoma.org. Find the MRF on Facebook and Twitter.