Related Experiment Videos
Skin cancer prevention: education and public health issues
1Division of Hematology Oncology, Saint Louis University, 3655 Vista Ave, PO Box 15250, St Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Objectives:
To examine current public health initiatives related to skin cancer prevention and early detection, and public education issues.
Data Sources:
Review articles, research reports, web sites, and government reports.
Conclusions:
Skin cancer remains a major public health problem. Efforts to decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with skin cancer are gradually shifting toward primary prevention. Primary prevention efforts should not only be limited to using sunscreen, but should also focus on reductions in ultraviolet light exposure. Secondary prevention efforts include professional skin examinations and skin self-examination. Tertiary efforts focus on the prevention and detection of additional primary skin cancers.
Implications For Nursing Practice:
Nurses can influence the public to practice primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies for skin cancer.