Mrs. Rockport Fulton: Congressional Briefing Alerts to Skin Cancer Epidemic

The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention’s premier event, Skin Cancer in America: A Growing Epidemic in the Rayburn House Office building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC served as a call-to-action for Congressional staffers.

Over 50 senate and house offices were represented at the meeting with an overall attendance over 100. In addition to the event, several members scheduled meetings with the health legislative assistants in the Senate and House offices.

The three speakers and co-chairs drove home the messages that skin cancer in the U.S. is rapidly growing while federal funding is decreasing. Marcelle Leahy, wife of Senator Patrick Leahy from Vermont, provided an emotional overview of her battle with melanoma. Darrell Rigel, M.D., a Clinical Professor of Dermatology at New York University Medical Center and a skin cancer expert and researcher in problems related to ultraviolet exposure to the skin, provided an overview of skin cancer and melanoma and the foremost research.
Michelle Charlesworth, ABC news anchor and reporter in New York, shared her inspiring and informative personal skin cancer experience. Her story educated Congressional staffers about the consequences and impact of basal cell carcinoma – an issue that often does not get as much attention as cancers with a higher mortality rate. Today is the DAY! The FDA will hear the facts about tanning beds and skin cancer. We will ask them to immediately reclassify for the purpose of protecting the American public.

Stay tuned to you national news today as this will likely receive much press!

Mrs. Rockport-Fulton Heads to FDA TODAY

I am honored to join a panel of ADVOCATES to present my personal story at the upcoming FDA General and Plastic Surgery Devices Advisory Panel Meeting tomorrow, March 25th, 2010 in Maryland.

Also presenting their stories will be other cancer survivors, and sadly, families of patients who died from Skin Cancer.

American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA) President, William D. James, M.D., FAAD will lead the meeting of top physicians and researchers in Dermatology, who will share the undeniable facts about the cancer causing UV tanning devices.

Together, we will ask for a ban on tanning bed usage for under 18 years of age, to better protect our children. We will also be asking the FDA to appropriately reclassify tanning beds to better protect the American public.

Stay tuned!

Coolibar Quality Sun Protection for Mrs. Rockport-Fulton and Family on Spring Break

We had a great Spring Break 2010 getaway with a 7-day cruise on the Disney Magic Ship! We made sure to apply sunscreen of SPF 30+ at least 30 minutes before leaving the ship, and to bring our hats and sunglasses, too. Thanks to our sponsor, Coolibar Clothing, we were protected from the sun on the gorgeous beaches, while touring the islands of St. Maartin and St. Thomas. My husband Kirk and I, along with our three children, also had a blast at the famous Mickey Pool and water slide.

Coolibar fabrics are developed and independently tested for their Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) and we wore the UPF 50+. This fabric rating means the fabric blocks 98% of the sun's UVA and UVB radiation.

We were surprised on our day at Castaway Cay, that having our bodies covered didn't make us hot and sweaty! The "COOL" and breathable fabric kept us comfortable....and confident we wouldn't return to our ship crispy and sunburned.Thanks to Coolibar, from Carson and the whole Kuykendall Clan for keeping us fashionable AND protected!

Coolibar has received the Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendation for sun-protective clothing.
For more information and to order Coolibar, visit
http://www.coolibar.com/

Mrs. Rockport-Fulton International to Testify at FDA on March 25, 2010

I am honored to join a panel of ADVOCATES at the upcoming FDA General and Plastic Surgery Devices Advisory Panel Meeting on March 25th, 2010 in Maryland. Also presenting their stories will be other cancer survivors, and sadly, families of patients who died from Skin Cancer. Importantly, the leading doctors and researchers will share the facts undeniably linking Skin Cancer and tanning beds. Together, we will ask the FDA to appropriately reclassify tanning beds to better protect the public.




My personal story will be about my experience in tanning beds. I hope to be a part of the influence that changes how people think about tanning beds and its link to skin cancer. We can truly save lives by making this important first step to reclassify tanning beds. Join me by signing this petition at the link below:

http://support.skincancer.org/site/PageServer?pagename=FDA_Dec_2009_Petition

WHY?

Any tan is a sign of skin damage, warns the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A tan results from exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, forcing the skin to produce more melanin, the pigment that darkens skin. This process can lead to aging of the skin and skin cancer. UV radiation includes UVB rays, which penetrate the top layers of skin to cause sunburn, and UVA rays, which penetrate deeper layers of skin to cause allergic reactions. Both types of rays can cause DNA damage that leads to skin cancer. Lamps used in tanning salons emit both types of radiation, according to the FDA.

TANNING BEDS HURT!

Radiation from the sun and artificial sources, including lamps in tanning salons, increases the risk of developing skin cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Women who use tanning beds more than once a month become 55 percent more likely to develop malignant melanoma, the NCI says. But both men and women increase their risks of developing skin cancer with long-term exposure to artificial sources of UV.

UVA RAYS BURN!

The UVA radiation in tanning bed bulbs is up to three times more intense than UVA in natural sunlight, reports Dr. Celeste Robb-Nicholson of Harvard Women's Health Watch. Most of the 30 million Americans who use tanning salons each year are women between the ages of 16 and 49 years old.

THE CIGARETTES OF OUR GENERATION!

Tanning beds are a relatively new industry phenomenon, becoming popular in the United States during the 1970s. Long-term studies on populations soon began showing connections with skin cancer. In a report in the February 6, 2002, issue of the "Journal of the National Cancer Institute", the NCI found that indoor tanning devices were linked to a 50-percent increase in the risk of basal cell carcinoma and more than a 100-percent increase in risks of squamous cell carcinoma.

TANNING BEDS CAUSE CANCER!

Tanning beds are now considered to be in the highest cancer risk category by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a World Health Organization agency. Tanning beds had been classified as "probably carcinogenic to humans" but were elevated to "carcinogenic to humans" by the IARC following a review of research that was published in the July 29, 2009 issue of "The Lancet Oncology". The review concludes that tanning beds increase the risk of deadly melanoma skin cancer by 75 percent for people who begin using them before age 30.
Warnings
The IARC report confirms earlier warnings from the American Cancer Society (ACS), which state that tanning bed use "is dangerous to your health and should be avoided," according to Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, deputy chief medical officer of the ACS. The IARC looked at 19 studies conducted over a 25-year period. The agency went so far as recommending the banning of commercial indoor tanning for people younger than 18 years old because the development of skin cancer is a long process that may take decades.

More information to come soon regarding the outcome of this important meeting.

SmartShield Serious Sun Protection-Sponsors Cherish Your Skin Organization

Jenifer Kuykendall is the current Mrs. Rockport-Fulton International 2010 and she knows sunscreen is a MUST when fishing. Together with their three children, Jenifer and her husband Kirk enjoy bayfishing for tailing reds, trout and flounder in and around the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and the Rockport Bay Systems.




And the Kuykendalls always wear SmartShield Serious Sun Protection.

Jenifer also knows all too well that prolonged exposure to the UV rays can result in Skin Cancer. As a 5-year survivor of Malignant Melanoma, Jenifer is making a difference with her non-profit organization, Cherish Your Skin. She understands that education equals prevention and that early detection is a key part to surviving Skin Cancer. Jenifer's goal as Mrs. Texas International 2010 will be to heighten awareness about Skin Cancer and stress the importance of Skin Cancer Prevention. Opportunities abound throughout our great state of Texas to change paradigms and save lives. Cherish Your Skin Organization's mission, projects and platform will accomplish this, with vital partnerships with The Skin Cancer Foundation and MD Anderson Cancer Center. Her educational outreach includes health fairs and skin cancer screenings with presentations to children, parents and teachers in our school system. Sunscreen distribution along with readings of her early education book, Cherish Your Skin, make a difference in the lives she touches.

Jenifer will compete for the Mrs. Texas International crown and title at the end of March 2010.
The Mrs. Texas International System celebrates women who want to excel in their lives while making a difference in their communities.For more information about Jenifer and Cherish Your Skin Organization, visit:www.cherishyourskin.org.


Go Catch the Crown, Jenifer!!! (With your SmartShield Serious Sun Protection ON!)

Fantastic Oysterfest Weekend in Rockport-Fulton

What a smashing 2010 Fulton Oysterfest parade! Mrs. Aransas County, Jan Burkhart, and I rode together, throwing multi-colored beads and sunscreen to the incredibly large crowd.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the gorgeous day and the fantastically creative floats. Best of all, the festival was for an important cause-all money raised benefited the Fulton Volunteer Fire Department. These are the amazing heroes who protect our towns!

Soon, everyone was off to enjoy the fair, rides and games-and listen to great local music. Many enjoyed the "famous"oysters. I stopped to reapply my sunscreen, though, making sure I was protected for the rest of our fun in the sun!

Castaways Thrift Shop is a Blessing to the Coastal Bend Community

Mrs. Rockport-Fulton had the chance to drop off donations and a Rockport Pie while visiting the Castaways Thrift Shop. This nonprofit shop has been serving the community since 1972 and is run by the cheerful, committed volunteers.

Castaways is a fun place to search for that special book, affordable clothing, gently used toys, furniture, and many other household goods. You can also find some great holiday decorations; the group was getting the Easter baskets organized.
The proceeds of the goods sold at Castaways benefit five area church groups which in turn, make donations to other community organizations benefiting our county overall. In 2009, Castaways gave $225,430 to over 25 organizations.

The Castaway volunteers are a special bunch who benefit our community greatly through their participation at the shop! We appreciate all of you and are so glad you give back to the Coastal Bend and Aransas County through Castaways.

Preview of "Cherish Your Skin" children's book at First Learning Tree in Rockport

The children at First Learning Tree School in Rockport had a fun visit from Mrs. Rockport-Fulton International 2010. Jenifer Kuykendall read from the children's book which she co-authored with her sister-in law, Amy Kuykendall, entitled "Cherish Your Skin". She also introduced Fun In The Sun 101, a kids program created by the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Teaching the children the importance of sunscreen, the dangers of sunburns, and how to be "Sun Smart" is a fun part of Jenifer's outreach in the community.



Jenifer also made sure each child (and parent) received a goodie bag complete with sunscreen and protective lotion. Teachers were given key information on the ABCDs of Malignant Melanoma and the importance of monthly self checks.

Before leaving the school, Jenifer even had a chance to share her crown with some little princesses!

For more information about the soon to be published "Cherish Your Skin" children's book, please visit: http://www.cherishyourskin.org/

A Valentine's Visit by Mrs. Rockport to the Coastal Bend Adult Day Care

Mrs. Rockport-Fulton had a great day visiting with the fun people at Coastal Bend Adult Daycare in Fulton. The Coastal Bend Adult Daycare is committed to providing the highest possible quality of care for their clients. Joanna Sain, R.N. is the cheerful director and her team's mission is to keep their clients enthusiastic, busy and active in order to maintain or improve their level of functioning.

A qualified nursing staff assists clients with their medications, as well as monitoring blood pressure and blood sugar. Hot, nutritious meals and snacks are part of their services. An activity director coordinates fun outings as well as music, arts & crafts, bingo, movies and dances.

The Valentine's Day party was complete with goodies generously donated by the Guerras at Rockport Bakery. Jenifer shared information about skin cancer prevention with sunscreen samples, while also going over important ABCDs of malignant melanoma.

Our community is made richer by the kind people at the Coastal Bend Adult Daycare!

Skin Cancer Foundation Recommends Increased Vitamin D Intake

The Skin Cancer Foundation's physician experts now recommend that adults with limited sun exposure or practice sun protection increase their intake of Vitamin D to 1,000 International Units (IUs) daily.

Vitamin D is necessary for strong bones and immune system health; deficiencies have been associated with bone softening in adults, rickets in children, as well as other diseases including diabetes, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, and certain cancers.

There are three sources of vitamin D: UV B radiation from the sun, certain foods, and supplements. Since the benefits of sun exposure cannot be separate from the harmful effects, the SCF urges everyone to get their vitamin B safely.

Foods high in vitamin D include oily fish like salmon, and fortified dairy products and cereals.

Vitamin D can be toxic in high doses; 2000 IU per day is the upper limit for safety.

To learn more about vitamin D, visit www.skincancer.org/Vitamin-D.

Source: SCF Sun and Skin News Vol 26, No. 2

Know the ABCDs of Melanoma

Look for Danger Signs in Pigmented Lesions of the Skin

Consult your dermatologist immediately is any of your moles exhibit:

A Assymmetry- One half is unlike the other half.

B Border- Irregular, scalloped or poorly defined border.

C Color- Varied from one area to another; shades of tan and
brown, black; sometimes white, red or blue.

D Diameter- Melanomas are usually greater than 6mm

in diameter (the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed. If you notice a mole different from others that changes, itches or bleeds- see a dermatologist.

MIND THESE ABCDs: They may be the signs of a malignant melanoma.

ALWAYS APPLY SUNSCREEN WITH SPF 30 or ABOVE!

CHERISH YOUR SKIN in 2010!!

Skin Cancer & Dogs: An Enemy to Man's Best Friend

Have you seen a dog in the summer sun and wondered how he can stand the heat with his fur coat? Yes, that is a concern, but another enemy of our four-legged friend is SKIN CANCER. We expect that since their skin is covered, it would be protected from the sun, right?

Unfortunately, DOGS GET SKIN CANCER, too. Remember that their wet noses, bellys, and pads of feet are particularly vulnerable to sun exposure. Dogs with light colored or thinning coats also have a higher chance for developing cancer.

Skin tumors, many of which can be cancerous, are the most common tumors in dogs.

Dogs develop three different types of skin cancer: Melanoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Mast Cell Tumors. Melanomas and Mast Tumors are often fatal if left untreated. Like humans, though, these cancers can be treated effectively if caught early.

Remember!

• Always check your dog's skin for any unusual growths.


• Visit your veternarian when scheduled and ask questions regarding concerns.


• Keep your best friend out of the sun when possible.


• Avoid prolonged heat exposure.


• Always give him lots of cool water!

Sun Screens and Blocks do work for your dogs! Any Human Sunscreen or Block SPF 15 and over can protect your pet. Here is a link to Pet Sunblock at a Pet Supply Site:

http://furlongspetsupply.com/pet_sunscreen.aspx

Your Dog is your baby...make sure to protect him, too.