The Skin Cancer Foundation donates 4000 Bottles of Sunscreen to Soldiers in Iraq.

New York, NY (June 26, 2008) – The increased risk of skin cancer and significant sun damage is one of the many health concerns of the men and women stationed in Iraq. In an effort to help protect the soldiers from the damaging effects of the sun, The Skin Cancer Foundation is donating 2,000 bottles of physician-dispensed Glytone Sunscreen SPF 25 and 2,000 bottles of theirWaterproof Sunscreen SPF 30, contributed to the Foundation by Glytone for the troops in Iraq.

During the summer, temperatures in Iraq can reach up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. “These brave men and women are outside for hours at a time, days on end. Anything we can do to help them will go a long way,” said Perry Robins, MD, President, The Skin Cancer Foundation.

With 90 percent of non-melanoma skin cancers associated with exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV) and about 65 percent of melanomas, it is highly likely that there will be an increase in skin cancer rates among these veterans.

A person’s risk for melanoma doubles if he or she has had five or more serious sunburns at any age. In addition to protecting themselves from the sun, it’s essential that the soldiers check their skin once a month and see a physician if they discover a new or changing mole. For information on how to perform a skin self exam, please visit Self Examination.