Skin Cancer:
Preventing America's Most Common Cancer
AT-A-GLANCE
"Young people need to know that the risk of getting skin cancer later can be greatly reduced if they start protecting their skin from the sun now."
Jeffrey P. Koplan, MD, MPH
Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Skin Cancer: A Largely Preventable Cancer
The Burden of Skin Cancer
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 estimates that a combined total of more than 1 million new cases of basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas and an additional 51,400 new cases of malignant melanoma will be diagnosed in 2001. In 2001 alone, skin cancer will claim the lives of almost 9,800 people.
Although death rates from basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are low, these cancers can cause considerable damage and disfigurement if they are left untreated. However, when detected and treated early, more than 95% of these carcinomas can be cured.
Malignant melanoma, the most rapidly increasing form of cancer in the United States, causes more than 75% of all deaths from skin cancer. This disease can spread to other organs, most commonly the lungs and liver.
Malignant melanoma diagnosed at an early stage can usually be cured, but melanoma diagnosed at a late stage is more likely to spread and cause death.
Who Is at Risk?
Although anyone can get skin cancer, people with certain characteristics are particularly at risk. The risk factors for skin cancer include
Fair to light skin complexion.
Family history of skin cancer.
Personal history of skin cancer.
Chronic exposure to the sun.
History of sunburns early in life.
Atypical moles.
A large number of moles.
Freckles (an indicator of sun sensitivity and sun damage).
Preventing Skin Cancer
Exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays appears to be the most important factor in the development of skin cancer. Skin cancer is largely preventable when sun protection measures are consistently used.
However, approximately 70% of American adults do not protect themselves from the sun's dangerous rays. According to the results of CDC's 1992 National Health Interview Survey,
Only 30% of adults sought shade.
Only 28% wore protective clothing when exposed to sunlight.
Only 32% routinely used sunscreen lotion.
Three-fourths of adults reported that their children (aged 12 and younger) used some form of sun protection, according to the results of a 1997 American Academy of Dermatology household telephone survey. However, specific sun protection measures reported by adults for their children varied:
54% of children sought shade.
27% wore hats, and 8% wore shirts.
53% used sunscreen.
These results highlight the need for educating children and adults about the preventive measures that can be taken to reduce or avoid UV exposure. Research suggests that healthy behavior patterns established in early childhood can influence future behaviors and sometimes set lifetime patterns. Parents, health care providers, schools, and community organizations can play a major role in reinforcing sun protection behaviors (e.g., staying out of direct sunlight or timing outdoor activities for hours when UV light is less intense) and changing attitudes about exposure to the sun (e.g., the opinion that a person looks more attractive with a tan).
"There is good news: skin cancer can be prevented. The challenge, however, lies in changing the attitudes and behaviors that increase a person's risk of developing skin cancer."
David Satcher, MD, PhD,
Surgeon General
CDC's National Leadership
CDC's skin cancer prevention and education efforts are designed to reduce illness and death and help achieve the Healthy People 2010 skin cancer prevention goals of increasing to at least 75% the proportion of adults who regularly use at least one protective measure, limit sun exposure, and use sunscreen.
With fiscal year 2001 funding of approximately $1.6 million, (This funding includes salaries and expenses as appropriate in the Congressional Conference Report No. 106-1033.) CDC supports the following activities to prevent skin cancer.
Collecting and Applying Vital Information
CDC develops epidemiologic research and monitoring systems to determine national trends in sun protection behaviors and attitudes about sun exposure. Findings are being used to better target and evaluate skin cancer prevention efforts. In addition, detailed information about skin cancer is being collected through the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to assess risk factors for skin cancer. Photographs are taken of each participant to identify certain skin conditions, including those related to skin cancer. The photographs are being included in a database that will be used to determine the prevalence of skin cancer and other conditions.
Activities also are under way to help communities sort through the plethora of data on interventions to prevent skin cancer. CDC and other federal agencies provide expertise to the independent Task Force on Community Preventive Services, which is reviewing studies of population-based interventions to prevent skin cancer and is recommending interventions proven to be effective. These recommendations will be widely disseminated and published in the Guide to Community Preventive Services. This guide will help communities make the best use of available scientific information as they plan and implement interventions to prevent skin cancer.
Getting the Message Out
CDC's national "Choose Your Cover" media campaign helps states increase people's awareness about skin cancer and its causes as well as influence social norms regarding sun protection and tanned skin?all in an effort to get people to practice sun-safe behaviors.
Increase skin cancer awareness and prevention behaviors among all populations, particularly those at high risk.
Develop and support partnerships to extend and reinforce core messages for behavior change.
Coordinate nationwide efforts to reduce skin cancer incidence and deaths.
Melanoma Research Foundation
National Cancer Institute
Skin Cancer Foundation
Skin Cancer Program, California Department of
Health Services
