Skin cancer prevention: education and public health issues.
OBJECTIVE
To examine current public health initiatives related to skin cancer prevention and early detection, and public education issues.


METHODS
Review articles, research reports, web sites, and government reports.


CONCLUSIONS
Skin cancer remains a major public health problem. Efforts to decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with skin cancer are gradually shifting toward primary prevention. Primary prevention efforts should not only be limited to using sunscreen, but should also focus on reductions in ultraviolet light exposure. Secondary prevention efforts include professional skin examinations and skin self-examination. Tertiary efforts focus on the prevention and detection of additional primary skin cancers.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses can influence the public to practice primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies for skin cancer.
Mahon
Suzanne M
SM
Division of Hematology Oncology, Saint Louis University, 3655 Vista Ave, PO Box 15250, St Louis, MO 63110, USA.
D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006292:Health Priorities; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods*; D011481:Protective Clothing; D011634:Public Health; D012307:Risk Factors; D016353:Self-Examination; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects
D013473:Sunscreening Agents