Skin Cancer

Gone are the days when people sent children outside to play to get a little color in their cheeks. They know too much about the dangers of unprotected sun exposure and the threat of skin cancer. Or do they? Despite the fact that 58% of parents remembered hearing about the importance of protecting their children from the sun, children are still playing in the sun without sunscreen or protective clothing (3., p 1). Sunburn is the most preventable …

…out for them. By the year 2000, Americans will have a 1 in 75 lifetime risk of developing melanoma or other skin cancers (5., p 1). Early detection is by far the most crucial element of surviving this terrible disease. Changing society's belief that being tanned connotes health and beauty continues to be a challenge. The notion has to be replaced with the belief that staying out of the sun, or taking extreme precautions while in the sun is smarter.