 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
 |
Melanoma and Skin Cancer AwarenessOn this page
National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention MonthMay is National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month. The month is dedicated to increasing public awareness of the importance of skin cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment, including basal cell, squamous cell, and melanoma. The American Cancer Society estimates that during 2004, about 1 million new cases of basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma and about 59,350 new cases of malignant melanoma will be diagnosed. It is also expected that skin cancer will claim the lives of approximately 9,800 Americans. Although death rates from basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are low, these cancers can cause considerable damage and disfigurement if they are untreated. However, when detected early, approximately 95% of these carcinomas can be cured.1 Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays appears to be the most important environmental factor involved in the development of skin cancer. When used consistently, sun-protective practices can prevent skin cancer. UV rays from artificial sources of light, such as tanning beds and sunlamps, are as dangerous as those from the sun and should also be avoided. Although both tanning and burning can increase a person’s risk for skin cancer, most Americans do not consistently protect themselves from UV rays. A survey sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that approximately 43% of white children under age 12 had at least one sunburn during the past year. 1Source: Cancer Facts and Figures, American Cancer Society, 2003. Guidelines for School Programs to Prevent Skin CancerTo disseminate information about the importance of minimizing UV exposure during childhood, CDC published Guidelines for School Programs to Prevent Skin Cancer in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Research and Recommendations Report. Intended to help state and local education agencies and schools play a role in reducing unsafe sun exposure, this publication includes recommendations on:
Skin Cancer Tools, Resources, and ProjectsIn October 2003, CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control funded the state education agencies in Colorado, North Carolina and Michigan. The state education agencies are piloting interventions that implement the recommendations of CDC’s Guidelines for School Programs to Prevent Skin Cancer. For example, the state of Colorado is making plans to identify skin cancer and sun safety information, train health coordinators in school districts, expand Web site data related to the topic of sun safety, and fund several school districts to implement model programs. In North Carolina, they are working with partners to encourage sun protective behaviors and policies for youth through physical activity and physical education interventions. Lastly, the state of Michigan is partnering with the American Cancer Society to build stronger state-level skin cancer prevention partnerships, conduct needs assessment evaluations, and develop and pilot targeted sun safety educational activities in several public schools. Overall, CDC expects these projects to have the potential to be replicated in other state education agencies and schools. Other Melanoma Month Resource Materials:
*Links to non-Federal organizations found at this site are
provided solely as a service to our users. These links do not constitute an
endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the Federal
Government, and none should be inferred. The CDC is not responsible for the
content of the individual organization Web pages found at these links. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
