Notice to Readers
National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month -- May
1998
May has been designated National Melanoma/Skin Cancer
Detection and Prevention Month by the American Academy of
Dermatology (AAD). In 1998, approximately 1 million new cases of
basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas will be detected, and
approximately 41,600 new cases of malignant melanoma will be
diagnosed (1). In addition, in 1998, an estimated 9200 persons will
die from skin cancer. This month is dedicated to increasing the
awareness of the importance of skin cancer prevention, early
detection, and treatment.
Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays is the most important
behavioral risk factor for skin cancer. Measures to prevent skin
cancer include 1) reducing direct exposure to the sun, especially
during midday hours (i.e., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.) when the sun's rays are
the strongest; 2) wearing protective clothing (e.g., broad-brimmed
hat, long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and sun glasses); and 3) using
sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15 to protect
against UV A and B rays (1). Persons should also avoid artificial
sources of UV light, such as tanning beds and sun lamps (2).
CDC's National Skin Cancer Prevention Education Program, in
collaboration with AAD, the American Cancer Society, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, the National Weather Service,
state health departments, universities, and other public and
private organizations, has focused on increasing public awareness
about skin cancer risk factors and appropriate sun protection
behaviors. Program efforts include media campaigns and health
education efforts among target groups, prevention education for
nurses, evaluation of a UV index and UV index worksite
demonstration project, development of school and community health
guidelines for skin cancer prevention/sun protection, and formation
of a national council for skin cancer prevention.
Additional information about skin cancer is available from the
National Cancer Institute, telephone (800) 422-6237, and from the
American Cancer Society, telephone (800) 227-2345. Information
about AAD's program is available from the World-Wide Web
http://www.aad.org. Information about CDC's program is available at
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dcpc/nscpep.
References
American Cancer Society. Cancer facts and figures, January 1998.
Atlanta, Georgia: American Cancer Society, 1998.
Public Health Service. Healthy people 2000: national health
promotion and disease prevention objectives -- full report, with
commentary. Washington, DC: US Department of Health and Human
Services, Public Health Service, 1990; DHHS publication no.
(PHS)91-50212.
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