Skin cancer prevention: the problem, responses, and lessons learned.

Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer and has rapidly increased during the past three decades in the United States. More than 1 million new cases of skin cancer are estimated to be diagnosed in the United States each year. The National Skin Cancer Prevention Education Program (NSCPEP) was launched by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1994 as a national effort to address the Healthy People 2000 objectives for skin cancer prevention.

Update on the incidence and mortality from melanoma in the United States.

Background: Increases in the incidence of malignant melanoma have been among the largest of all cancers in the United States.

Objective: We report updated trends in melanoma rates among the US white population.

Methods: Incidence and mortality rates were calculated for 1973 to 1994.

Evaluation of the Ultraviolet Index: media reactions and public response.

Background: In response to the increasing rate of skin cancer, particularly melanoma in the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Weather Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Association of Physicians for the Environment, and the American Academy of Dermatology, developed the Ultraviolet Index (UVI) to inform the public of the strength of the sun's rays and advise on methods for sun protection.

Objective: Our purpose was to evaluate the extent to which television stations and newspapers reported the UVI and assess the public's response to it.

Methods: To evaluate the effect of this effort, we surveyed television weather forecasters at 185 stations and examined weather pages in 54 newspapers in 58 cities that received the UVI reports.

Full proceedings from the National Conference to Develop a National Skin Cancer Agenda. American Academy of Dermatology and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Washington, D.C., April 8-10, 1995.

National efforts to reduce skin cancer incidence and mortality require scientifically coordinated efforts. This report summarizes the first American Academy of Dermatology/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention national conference to develop a skin cancer agenda. Leading experts in dermatology, public health, medicine, health education, nursing, behavioral sciences, environmental health and epidemiology identified and prioritized skin cancer control issues in five key areas.

Melanoma awareness and self-examination practices: results of a United States survey.

Background: Skin cancers are common and there has been a dramatic increase in their incidence, particularly melanoma. However, little is known about awareness of melanoma and early detection practices in the general U.S.

Cancer screening behaviors among U.S. women: breast cancer, 1987-1989, and cervical cancer, 1988-1989.

Data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) were used to examine trends in breast and cervical cancer screening behaviors among U.S. women in selected states.