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State of Arkansas 1
95th General Assembly 2
Fiscal Session, 2026 HR 1021 3
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By: Representative L. Johnson 5
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HOUSE RESOLUTION 8
TO DESIGNATE MAY 2026 AS SKIN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH. 9
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Subtitle 12
TO DESIGNATE MAY 2026 AS SKIN CANCER 13
AWARENESS MONTH. 14
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WHEREAS, skin cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in the United States; 16
and 17
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WHEREAS, melanoma and other skin cancers are some of the most 19
preventable forms of cancer and account for more than fifty percent (50%) of 20
all cancers combined, including breast, lung, and prostate cancer; and 21
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WHEREAS, one (1) in five (5) Americans will develop skin cancer in 23
their lifetime, and approximately nine thousand five hundred (9,500) 24
Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer each day; and 25
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WHEREAS, it is reported that in the United States more than five 27
million (5,000,000) people are treated for one (1) or more skin cancers each 28
year; and 29
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WHEREAS, more than one million (1,000,000) Americans are living with 31
melanoma, and melanoma rates have doubled since the 1980s; and 32
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WHEREAS, it is estimated that there will be two hundred thirty-four 34
thousand six hundred eighty (234,680) new cases of melanoma diagnosed in 35
2026; and 36
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WHEREAS, melanoma is the deadliest skin cancer, and close to nine 2
thousand (9,000) people die from melanoma each year, with one (1) American 3
dying of melanoma every sixty-seven (67) minutes; and 4
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WHEREAS, it is reported that of the one million (1,000,000) newly 6
diagnosed cases of melanoma and other skin cancers each year, an estimated 7
ten thousand seven hundred ten (10,710) people will die; and 8
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WHEREAS, the estimated total direct annual cost of melanoma treatment 10
exceeds two hundred ninety million dollars ($290,000,000); and 11
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WHEREAS, the annual cost of treating skin cancer in the United States 13
is eight billion one hundred million dollars ($8,100,000,000), with three 14
billion three hundred million dollars ($3,300,000,000) allocated to treating 15
melanoma specifically; and 16
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WHEREAS, the objectives of the Arkansas Dermatological Society are to 18
promote the highest possible standards of clinical practice, education, and 19
research in dermatologic medicine and related disciplines, to promote the 20
public interest relating to dermatology, to advocate on behalf of dermatology 21
and high-quality patient care, and to provide a forum for the discussion of 22
medical and practice related problems; and 23
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WHEREAS, the Arkansas Chapter of the Dermatology Trainee Advocacy Group 25
is an organization consisting of dermatology trainees and practicing 26
physicians dedicated to promoting the highest standards of clinical practice, 27
education, and research in dermatology, to advocating for policies that 28
improve patient care and the practice of dermatology, to fostering engagement 29
in health policy and community outreach, and to providing a forum for 30
discussion of medical, legislative, and practice-related issues; and 31
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WHEREAS, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of 33
Medicine and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Department of 34
Dermatology are dedicated to advancing excellence in dermatologic medicine 35
and surgery through leadership in clinical care, medical education, and 36
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innovative research, while striving to improve patient outcomes and uphold 1
the highest standards of practice; and 2
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WHEREAS, it is important to encourage public awareness for Arkansans of 4
the dangers caused by excessive and unprotected direct exposure to the sun 5
and to educate the people of Arkansas about preventative safety measures to 6
decrease the chances of developing all skin cancers, especially melanoma, 7
while still allowing for the safe enjoyment of outdoor activities; and 8
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WHEREAS, May is an appropriate month to designate as "Skin Cancer 10
Awareness Month", 11
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NOW THEREFORE, 13
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL 14
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS: 15
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THAT the House of Representatives encourage all Arkansans to have a 17
greater awareness of the risks of skin cancer and the need for the early 18
diagnosis of skin cancer. 19
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the House of Representatives designate May 2026 21
as Skin Cancer Awareness Month. 22
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT upon adoption of this resolution, appropriate 24
copies of this resolution be provided to the Arkansas Dermatological Society, 25
the Arkansas Chapter of the Dermatology Trainee Advocacy Group, the 26
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine, and the 27
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Department of Dermatology. 28
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