( Nebraska News Network / KLZA ) -- An American Cancer Society study indicates Nebraska is doing a poor job in the fight against cancer. In a report card ranking the states for efforts to prevent and fight cancer, Nebraska received a passing grade on only one of ten criteria used. The ten criteria included things such as the amount of cigarette taxes, tobacco cessation program funding and the amount of phys ed required in schools. The single category where Nebraska had a passing grade was for the statewide smoking ban in public buildings.
David Holmquist with Nebraska’s office of the Cancer Action Network says melanoma is affecting younger people all of the time. He is critical of Nebraska legislators for failing to pass age restrictions on tanning beds.
Only five states have banned everyone under 18 from using tanning beds, while seven states have put restrictions on tanning. Nebraska legislators considered, then threw out a bill that would have put age restrictions on indoor tanning beds, a move that is angering health care activists. Holmquist says skin cancer is striking women in their 20’s who tanned a lot in their teens. They seem to be more at susceptible to the affects the infrared rays tanning beds provide.
According to the Cancer Society, more than 9,000 Nebraskans will be diagnosed with cancer this year and more than 3,000 will die from it. Holmquist calls prevention a huge issue and says a lot of melonomas can be prevented by not allowing anyone under 18 to use a tanning bed.
© Nebraska News Network
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Walnut Township recall coming; Friday mtg erupts in arrest
Former Kickapoo Tribal chairman arrested
Sabetha woman arrested in business burglary
Severe storms move through NE KS
Effingham teen facing child sex crimes charges
Winchester native named as Amberwell CEO
Holton property search concludes with arrest
Rural Horton man charged in alleged beating
Severe storms reported Tuesday in NE KS
Meriden man bound over on rape charge
KS prepares for severe weekend weather
Atchison man nabbed for neighbor's 4 wheeler theft
Former AG Schmidt running for KS' 2nd Congressional District
Richardson County Deputies busy during special enforcement
Commission approves agreement for budget help
Council hears report from golf course
Beef Barn replacement planned in Jefferson Co
NVCH receives $415,000 grant for expansion project
LATEST STORIES
Tornado damage surveyed in NE KS
Road, railway repairs, underway in Atchison this week
KS replacement plates see long wait times
Atchison man nabbed for neighbor's 4 wheeler theft
One injured in Holt County MO wreck
Field survey set in Brown Co at U.S 77/K-20 junction
Severe storms reported Tuesday in NE KS
Effingham teen facing child sex crimes charges
Pawnee County Rural Health Clinic participating in DHHS program