 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
2004/2005 Fact SheetSkin Cancer:
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
You may also download a PDF version (124K) for Adobe Acrobat Reader. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
On this page
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. The three major
types of skin cancer are the highly curable basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas
and the more serious malignant melanoma. The American Cancer Society (ACS) 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. Skin cancer will likely
claim the lives of approximately 9,800 Americans in 2004.
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 of 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.
CDC provides leadership for nationwide efforts to reduce illness and death caused by skin cancer. Although these efforts comprise a variety of approaches and strategies, their common focus is education and prevention. With fiscal year 2004 appropriations of $2 million, CDC’s major approaches to skin cancer prevention and education are described below.
Disseminating Recommendations
To 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
|
|
|
|
|
|
Who Is at Risk?Although anyone can develop skin cancer, some people are at particular risk. Risk factors include
|
|
|
|
|
|
The guidelines are available on CDC's Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5104a1.htm.
CDC continues to work with other federal agencies and the independent Task Force on Community Preventive Services to review studies of community-based interventions targeting skin cancer prevention. Recommended interventions are published in the Guide to Community Preventive Services. This publication, available online at http://www.thecommunityguide.org,* describes proven strategies that communities can use as they plan and implement programs to prevent skin cancer.
Supporting State Initiatives
In October 2003, CDC funded special projects through 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, the state education program is 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 ACS 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 school systems.
Working with Schools
In January 2002, CDC and ACS sponsored From Guidelines to Action: Skin Cancer Prevention
in Schools, a forum that included national, state, and local leaders in education,
public health, and skin cancer prevention. Participants shared strategies for promoting
awareness of skin cancer prevention among students, parents, school administrators,
and staff. Building on information shared at this forum, CDC developed communication
tools for adaptation by education partners to increase awareness, formulate policy,
and enhance the school environment for skin cancer prevention.
Fit, Healthy, and Ready to Learn: Part II—Sun Safety was was published by the National Association of State Boards of Education in November 2002. This addition to the association’s school health policy guide is based on CDC’s Guidelines for School Programs to Prevent Skin Cancer. It specifies policies that can be adopted by state education authorities, local school districts, and individual schools to make sun safety a vital, integrated part of coordinated school health programs. An executive summary and ordering information can be found at http://www.nasbe.org/HealthySchools/sun_safety.html.*
During 2003, the Task Force on Community Preventive Services, an independent panel supported by CDC, conducted a systematic review of selected population based interventions to prevent skin cancer. The review was published in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Recommendations and Reports. The research results from the Task Force included recommendations for educational and policy approaches in primary schools and in recreational and tourism settings.
Collecting Data
CDC supports the collection of information on sun-protection behaviors and attitudes and
is developing monitoring systems to track national trends in these data. Findings will be
used to better target and evaluate skin cancer prevention efforts. During 2003, CDC’s National
Health Interview Survey and a survey conducted through the Behavioral Risk Factor
Surveillance System included questions about sun-protection behaviors.
Building Partnerships
The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention is an alliance working to 1) increase
skin cancer awareness and prevention behaviors in all populations, particularly
those at high risk, 2) develop and support partnerships that extend and reinforce core
messages about behavioral change, 3) coordinate national efforts to reduce
skin cancer incidence and deaths, and 4) develop a national skin cancer prevention
and education plan. CDC is an active member of this council, as well as a member of the
Federal Council on Skin Cancer Prevention, which promotes sun-protection behaviors among
federal employees, their families, and agency constituents.
*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.
|
For more information or additional copies of this document, please contact: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Division of Cancer Prevention and Control Mail Stop K–64, 4770 Buford Highway, NE, Atlanta, GA 30341–3717 (770) 488-4751 - Voice Information System 1 (888) 842-6355 - Fax (770) 488-4760 cancerinfo@cdc.gov http://www.cdc.gov/cancer This Web site is intended for information only and is not a substitute for medical care or treatment by a qualified professional. Any person who has or might have a health problem should consult a professional health care provider. |
You may also download a PDF version (124K) for Adobe Acrobat Reader
|
|
Privacy
Policy | Accessibility Page last reviewed: Thursday, September 02, 2004 United States
Department of Health and Human Services |
|
