Sunshine and skin cancer: a school-based skin cancer prevention project

Over 50 percent of the cancers diagnosed in the U.S. are skin cancers. The incidence in Arizona far exceeds the national average for all types of skin cancers, currently having the second highest incidence and prevalence in the world. Results from skin cancer prevention programs elsewhere have suggested that awareness, attitudes, and behavior could be changed by educational efforts with eventual decreases in measurable outcomes such as morbidity and mortality. Sensible sun habits develop early in life. Most health educators agree that the ideal place to begin to teach values regarding health choices is with school-aged children. We have evaluated a primary skin cancer prevention education program in a controlled situation. The target population was chosen in a formal school setting and represented pre-adolescents and early adolescents, who were just beginning to develop "sun-worshipping" tendencies as a part of their increasing preoccupation with appearance. Two unique comprehensive "Sunshine and Skin Cancer" curricula comprised of six units about the sun, its benefits and disadvantages, the skin, cancer and skin cancer, and sun damage prevention were developed. The curricula were very well received by the school system, teachers, children, and the community, and have received local, national, and international attention. This program was shown to significantly change the knowledge and the self-reported behavior (p less than .001) of the children with respect to skin cancer prevention. Steps are being taken to integrate this curriculum into all Arizona middle schools.