SunAWARE PresentationSunAWARE Presentation

Sun Protection & Skin Cancer: Sun Protection & Skin Cancer: An OverviewAn Overview

Skin Cancer: Fast FactsSkin Cancer: Fast Facts

3.5 million 3.5 million contracted by 2 contracted by 2 million people million people every year every year

An “under-An “under-recognized” recognized” epidemicepidemic

Skin Cancer: Fast FactsSkin Cancer: Fast Facts

Each year there are more new cases Each year there are more new cases of skin cancer than the combined of skin cancer than the combined incidence of cancers of the breast, incidence of cancers of the breast, prostate, lung and colon. prostate, lung and colon.

One in five Americans will develop One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a skin cancer in the course of a lifetime. lifetime.

Skin Cancer: Fast FactsSkin Cancer: Fast Facts

Between 40 and 50 percent of Americans who Between 40 and 50 percent of Americans who live to age 65 will have skin cancer at least live to age 65 will have skin cancer at least once. once.

In 2004, the total direct cost associated with In 2004, the total direct cost associated with the treatment for non-melanoma skin cancers the treatment for non-melanoma skin cancers was $1.5 billion. was $1.5 billion.

In 2004, total direct costs for treatment of In 2004, total direct costs for treatment of melanoma was almost $1 billion.melanoma was almost $1 billion.

Doesn’t include indirect costs of care giving Doesn’t include indirect costs of care giving and lost productivity that reaches into the and lost productivity that reaches into the billions.billions.

Causes of Skin CancerCauses of Skin Cancer

Almost always results from unprotected Almost always results from unprotected exposure to UVR, including tanning exposure to UVR, including tanning beds.beds.

Intense intermittent exposure a serious Intense intermittent exposure a serious risk factor. risk factor.

Skin type, freckles and moles create riskSkin type, freckles and moles create risk Age is considered a risk factorAge is considered a risk factor (American Cancer Society)(American Cancer Society)

Skin Cancer in New YorkSkin Cancer in New York

The Good News & The Good News & the Bad Newsthe Bad News

The Good News The Good News

Melanoma accounts Melanoma accounts for only 3% of all for only 3% of all cancers in NY mencancers in NY men

Melanoma acoounts Melanoma acoounts for only 2.5 % of all for only 2.5 % of all cancers in NY womencancers in NY women

Mortality rates have Mortality rates have remained steady over remained steady over time (NY Dept of time (NY Dept of Health)Health)

The Bad NewsThe Bad News

The incidence of The incidence of Melanoma in New Melanoma in New York is on the rise. York is on the rise. (National Cancer (National Cancer Institute)Institute)

Melanoma is the Melanoma is the most common most common cancer diagnosed cancer diagnosed in ages 20-34 in NYin ages 20-34 in NY

Some CaveatsSome Caveats

Credible evidence that melanoma is Credible evidence that melanoma is under-reported.under-reported.

Patients often seen in doctors’ Patients often seen in doctors’ offices, not hospitals (source of offices, not hospitals (source of cancer counting)cancer counting)

NCI stats don’t report incidence of NCI stats don’t report incidence of usually non-fatal basal cell carcinoma usually non-fatal basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcimona.and squamous cell carcimona.

Skin Cancer & Population Skin Cancer & Population Segments (overview)Segments (overview)

outdoor workersoutdoor workers baby boomersbaby boomers teensteens children/parentschildren/parents people of colorpeople of color

Outdoor WorkersOutdoor Workers

Outdoor workers experience twice the Outdoor workers experience twice the amount of nonmelanoma skin cancers amount of nonmelanoma skin cancers (basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell (basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas ) as indoor workers. (Skin carcinomas ) as indoor workers. (Skin Cancer Foundation)Cancer Foundation)

Occupational groups at increased risk for Occupational groups at increased risk for exposure to UV light on the job are far less exposure to UV light on the job are far less likely to receive skin examinations. likely to receive skin examinations. (American Academy of Dermatology) (American Academy of Dermatology)

Conclusion by researchers who Conclusion by researchers who looked at available datalooked at available data

““There is considerable room for improvement in There is considerable room for improvement in occupational sun protection. Some workers take occupational sun protection. Some workers take precautions while working outdoors in the sun, precautions while working outdoors in the sun, but the vast majority of outdoor workers but the vast majority of outdoor workers studied in the United States, Canada, and the studied in the United States, Canada, and the Mediterranean region do not practice adequate Mediterranean region do not practice adequate or any sun safety. Sun protection may not yet or any sun safety. Sun protection may not yet be a priority in most outdoor work be a priority in most outdoor work environments in these countries.”environments in these countries.”

Karen Glanz, David B. Buller, Mona SaraiyaKaren Glanz, David B. Buller, Mona Saraiya

Baby Boomers

adults over age 50 have greatest risk of developing skin cancers

44 percent of screened individuals diagnosed with melanoma were men over age fifty (AAD screenings 1985-2000)

A sunburn during middle age or later may be the one that triggers skin cancer

Conclusion

Baby boomers are the hardest to reach without the help of the media. A national media campaign about skin cancers - including ads specifically targeted to baby boomers and older adults- could boost the use of prevention methods and help lower mortality rates by providing information about detection methods.

Teens

teens do not limit their time in the sun, nor do they regularly use sunscreen or other methods of sun protection (Johnson, et al 2001)

75% of people who use tanning beds are in their teens and 20s

melanoma is now diagnosed more frequently in this age group than any other cancer

Conclusion

“ Recommendations in the United States for improved sun protection and avoidance of tanning beds and sunburning, which began in the early 1990s, have been primarily unheeded. Nationally coordinated campaigns with strong policy components must be developed and sustained to prevent skin cancer in a new generation of children and adolescents.” (Pediatrics, Vol 109)

Young Children/Parents

23 percent of lifetime exposure to UVR happens before age 18

damage is significant and can be compounded by subsequent exposure

vitamin D is essential for strong bones and calcium absorbtion

Conclusions

Sun protective clothing most effective method of prevention

National Council on Skin Cancer prevention recommends supplements for vitamin D

It is never too early to begin skin cancer prevention and detection education

SunAWARESunAWARE

Acronym is short & Acronym is short & easy to remember;easy to remember;

““AWARE” includes AWARE” includes simple steps to detect simple steps to detect & prevent skin cancer.& prevent skin cancer.

Includes latest sun Includes latest sun protection advice.protection advice.

Endorsed by leading Endorsed by leading anti-skin cancer anti-skin cancer professional professional organizations.organizations.

Peer reviewed. Peer reviewed.

SunAWARE

AVOID unprotected exposure at any time and seek shade

WEAR sun protective clothing including a hat with a three-inch brim and sunglasses

Apply broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 30+ and reapply every two hours while exposed

Routinely check your skin, understand the need for vitamin D, and report any concerns to a health care provider

Educate others about need the need for sun protection

SunAWARESunAWARE

Contact us at:Contact us at: marymillsbarrow@yahoo.com or or

952-474-9538952-474-9538 See our website at See our website at

www.sunaware.org Or follow us on twitter @sunawareOr follow us on twitter @sunaware