- Melanoma, one of the most common cancers among adults under the age of 40, can be deadly. Each year more than 1,100 Coloradans are diagnosed with melanoma and more than 150 die from the disease. 65−90% of melanomas are caused by exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun, tanning beds, and sunlamps.
- In Colorado, 33% of adults and 44% of children aged 1−14 years had a sunburn in the past 12 months.1 Just a few serious sunburns in childhood can increase sun cancer risk later in life.
- In Colorado, 69% of adults and 76% of children aged 1−14 years always or nearly always use some form of sun protection.1, 2
- Communities can help prevent skin cancer in many ways! The Community Preventive Services Task Force released the following findings on strategies to prevent skin cancer in several key community settings:
Outdoor Recreational and Tourism Settings
Primary and Middle School Settings
Childcare Centers
Multicomponent Community-Wide Programs
1 Data sources: 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance
System and 2012 Colorado Child Health Survey
2 Methods of sun protection included, for adults – wearing
sunscreen, staying in the shade, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, or wearing a
long-sleeved shirt, and for children – wearing sunscreen, staying in the shade,
or wearing clothes covering most of arms and legs
No comments:
Post a Comment