Skin cancer is caused by exposure to the sun UV radiation. Skin cancer types are classified in two categories, non melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) and malignant melanoma. NMSCs are basal cell carcinomas and cell carcinoma and are rarely fatal. UV rays mostly affect the face and hands as they are the mostly exposed areas to the sun. Studies reveal that after UV radiation exposure, the radiation remains accumulated to the skin thereby causing cancer. Malignant melanoma on the other hand is the most fatal cancer than NMSC and affects people with large numbers of moles, blonde/red hair, fair skin ad those who like to tan (WHO, 2003, p.2).
Ultraviolet (UV) has been known to be one of the causes of skin cancer and is mostly acquired at work places especially in industries that involve in curing of paint, arc welding, ink, disinfection of equipment at the hospital and laboratories. Workers who are also exposed to UV radiation from the sun on there way to work are also at risk of contracting skin cancers. Short term exposure of UV radiation causes sunburn, swelling and reddening. The visible effect of sun burn makes the skin color turn as a defense mechanism a term commonly known to us as suntan. Sun tan occurs to protect the skin from further exposure. Long exposure to UV radiation causes skin cancer and commonly affects light skinned people (WHO, 2003, p.2).
In relation to non-solar sources of UV radiation, good personal protective equipment minimizes skin cancer risks. For workers who are regularly exposed to the sun for longer periods, a more comprehensive strategy is required since sun exposure cannot be controlled like any other normal workplace exposure hazards. Other causes of skin cancer include; family history of skin cancer, personal history of the disease, over exposure to the sun, history of sunburn early in life, large moles, freckles and light skin complexity. Skin cancer can be prevention and the decisions lie on the individual person. The decision calls for a change of attitudes and behavior that increases skin cancer risks (Koplan, 2001, p.1).
The Melanoma Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving people’s lives from melanoma, the most fatal skin cancer that is extremely dangerous unless detected early. This foundation objective is to increase melanoma awareness through; a). Training students and health educators in middle school and high school and providing learning materials and lesson plans on risks and prevention of skin cancer b). The foundation provides information on what students should look for in terms of symptoms detection and designed a user friendly website on education on melanoma prevention c). The foundation conducts talks and facial analyzer screenings for businesses and organizations in the area (WHO, 2003, p.2).
In Training students and health educators, the foundation discovered that high school and middle school students were not well informed about skin cancer, melanoma for this case. According to research carried out on adolescents and young adults in schools, the results revealed that the majority of the students did not realize the dangers of such exposure. They believed that indoor skin tanning was the safest way to go. In a 1999 nationwide survey on popularity of tan amongst young adults and adolescents, reports found that 7% of adolescents girls at the age of 14 and 35% of 17 year old females use tan regularly. The foundation therefore devised a plan to publicly educate teachers and students about melanoma since it was not in the curriculum. The goal of the foundation is to ensure that students are taught about early self-detection and the prevention of melanoma. On skin check, the foundation provides teachers training videos for lesson plans, teacher resource CDs, students hand out and videos (MEF, 2009, p.1).
Risks of UV exposure would be eliminated by reducing sun exposure and tanning lamps during the early ages especially childhood. The foundation has helped in prevention through teaching health educators skin examination to detect early melanomas thereby reducing death rates. The public is also required to avoid sudden exposure to strong sunlight as UV is the major cause of melanoma. The minimization requires sun exposure during peak intensity hours from 10am to 4pm. Mothers are requested to keep babies out in the sun until when they are 6 months old to protect their skins and eyes. Secondly, the public is requested to wear sunscreens. Sun Protection Factor (SPF) extends the time to which the skin takes to burn thereby minimizing the redness. The public is advised to use UVB- protecting sunscreens that contain micronized zinc oxide and micronized titanium oxide as they contain safe ingredients that do not cause allergic reactions as compared to organic addictives. Also teenagers and adults are required to apply sunscreen lotions thickly to receive maximum protection. Sunscreen should be applied 20 to 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapplied every two hours while in the sun. Consumers are asked to check expiry dates as sunscreens become ineffective once they are past due dates (MEF, 2009, p.6)
The public is advised to wear sun protecting clothing in hot weather such as lightly woven fabrics, RIT Sun Guard, laundry additives and good T-shirts to minimize sun burns. Brim hats and UV protective sunglasses are recommended for protecting the eyes as they block both UVA and UVB rays. Melanoma Education Foundation is discouraging people and tanning salon operators from using UV tanning beds despite advocacies from The Indoor Tanning Association (ITA). ITA makes people believe that indoor tanning is the safest as the tanning beds do not cause melanoma and it protects them from further sunburns. MEF advised people to shun away from such commercials as they do not have any evidence on the safety of tanning beds. What the UV tanning industry does is make more profits than caring for peoples’ lives. MEF therefore advises people to use sunless bronzer which is much safer and contains active ingredients that safely tans the outer layer of the skin without exposing it to the dangers of ultraviolet radiation (MEF, 2009, p.6).
Healthy people 2010 foundation goals and objectives are to reduce the rate of melanoma cancer deaths among the American population by the year 2010. It targets to reduce 2.5 death rates per 10,000 populations by 2010. In its previous research of the year 2000, the target of 2.8 deaths per 10,000 improved by 11 percent. Therefore its objective aims to reduce death rates at greater levels by the year 2010. It also proposes to increase the proportion of cancer survivors of five years or longer after diagnosis by 70 percent. This report is based on 1989 to1995 statistics of 59 percent of cancer patients living 5 years or longer after diagnosis and of which 19 percent were reported to improve. In achieving this target, the foundation intends to make public awareness of skin cancer thereby reducing the number of new cancer cases, disability, illness and death (Healthy People 2010, 2009, online).
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) a non profit organization has taken up role in educating the public about UV radiation. In its research, it continues to study the risks factors of skin cancer through the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The research uses photographs from skin cancer patients to determine the prevalence of skin cancer and other conditions. CDC and federal agencies are working together to provide Community Preventive Services to prevent skin cancer through published pamphlets such as Guide to Community Preventive Services that educate the community. The guide contains scientific information that helps people deal with skin cancers as researchers are still implementing interventions to prevent skin cancer. CDC’s media campaign goes like “Choose your Cover”. This message is directed to increase people’s awareness about skin cancer, causes and influential social norms such as tanned skin. The information is publicized in TVs, radio public service announcements, websites (www.cdc.gov/chooseyourcover), posters and brochures. Campaigns targets young adults, parents and adolescents (Koplan, 2001, p.3).
CDC support for skin cancer prevention education initiatives entails funding skin cancer prevention projects targeting children, caregivers and parents to reduce the number of illnesses and deaths. One of the initiatives is the Pool Cool initiative developed by the University of Hawaii together with Boston University School of Medicine targeting lifeguards, parents and children aged 5-10. The campaign promotes the use of sunscreens and hats. The second initiative is the Sunwise Stampede in San Diego University, a program aimed at promoting sun safety among zoo visitors. All visitors including children are given sun safety tip sheets when entering the park and discount coupons for hats and sunscreens. Children’s hands are stampeded with sun safety reminders and help them participate in projects that reinforce sun safety messages such as art and crafts. This strategy will greatly reduce incidents of sun burn around the zoo thereby reducing skin cancer illness and death at greater levels (Koplan, 2001,p.4).
In conclusion, public education is the most effective preventive measure as the information reduces illness and deaths thereby helping Healthy People 2010 achieve preventive goals. Healthy people 2010 developed epidemiologic research and monitoring system to determine previous trends in sun protection behaviors of people of different ages in terms of behavior and attitude about sun exposure. The findings were analyzed and used to better target and evaluate skin cancer prevention efforts. CDC projects are equally very effective as they spread messages in all active sun exposure areas such as swimming pools and zoos. Non profits organizations such as CDC and MEF, WHO and Health People 2010 have done tremendous jobs on educational campaigns on dangers of UV exposure, now the decision rests on our hands to practice safety precautions when exposed to the sun.
References
- Healthy People 2010 (2009). Cancer.
- Koplan, J.P. (2001). Skin Cancer: Preventing America’s Most Common Cancer
- 2001. Department Of Health and Human Services Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, p. 1-4.
- MEF. (2009). Savings Lives Through Education.
- World Health Organisation. (2003). Ultraviolet Radiation As A Harzard In The WorkPlace. Ontario Ministry of Labor Canada, 1-4.