Joyce joins Skin Cancer Caucus co-chairs to encourage sun protection efforts for children

U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) and his fellow co-chairs of the congressional Skin Cancer Caucus on May 25 offered a bipartisan resolution to raise awareness around preventing childhood skin cancer.

“Skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. The first line of defense against this disease starts with protecting kids from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays,” Rep. Joyce said. “It seems simple but by ensuring that children know to wear protective clothing and are proactively using sunscreen, we will be able to save lives.” 

Rep. Joyce sponsored House Resolution (H.Res.) 436 with original cosponsors U.S. Reps. Jim Cooper (D-TN), John Joyce (R-PA) and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) to encourage childhood skin protection and help prevent future cases of skin cancer. 

“I thank Reps. Cooper, Joyce and Maloney for joining me in introducing this resolution and look forward to continuing to work with them to provide Americans with the information they need to prevent, detect and treat skin cancer,” said Rep. Joyce.

H.Res. 436 would support federal, state and local efforts to exempt sunscreen from over-the-counter medication bans in schools and would encourage all schools to allow students to possess sunscreen at school without restriction and without requiring physician authorization, according to the text of the bill.

Additionally, the resolution would encourage state, local and community entities, including schools and summer camps, to develop policies that provide for the use of and access to sunscreen and articles of sun-protective clothing.

The bill also would support initiatives to encourage physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals to educate parents and their children about sun-safe behaviors, according to the bill’s text.