WHAT: In a new video posted today, Cedars-Sinai melanoma expert Omid Hamid, MD, offers five easy actions you can take to protect you and your family from skin cancer, the most common type of cancer in the U.S. The video is available for streaming and downloading here.

WHO: Hamid is the co-director of Cutaneous Oncology at Cedars-Sinai’s Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute. He also directs the Melanoma Program at The Angeles Clinic, an affiliate of Cedars-Sinai. Through his research, clinical trials and patient care, Hamid has helped bring new therapies to late-stage cancer patients, improving their quality of life.

WHY: More skin cancers are diagnosed in the U.S. than all other cancers combined. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetime. About 90 percent of non-melanoma skin cancers are associated with sun exposure. Prevention and early detection of skin cancers save lives.

HOW: In the video, Hamid says sunscreen needs time to work. So he advocates applying it a half-hour before going out in the sun, and reapplying it if you get wet. He also reminds sunbathers to slather on the sunscreen even on overcast days. WHERE: The video can be viewed on the Cedars-Sinai YouTube Channel. For additional downloading options, or to arrange an interview, please contact Diane Wedner at 310-248-6608 or Sally Stewart at 310-248-6566, or by email: [email protected] or [email protected].

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