Skin cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in America and it is the most preventable. Across our country, state-wide cancer coalitions develop comprehensive five-year cancer plans. These plans are data-driven to reflect data compilation and analysis, cancer burdens, and needs across the state. Priorities are defined including the top cancers to be addressed, and goals and objectives are defined as part of the state’s cancer plan. With goals defined, evidence-based interventions are identified in the plan including strategies to include proven efforts to affect cancer incidence, early detection, treatment, and survivorship outcomes. These strategies are tailored to the local population, resources available, and capacities.
As one would expect, there are many stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of a state’s cancer plan including healthcare providers, policymakers, community organizations, cancer survivors, and research partners.
Evidence-based Programs to Reduce Skin Cancer and Melanoma Rates
As various stakeholders develop the cancer plan, IMPACT Melanoma is often contacted by the state’s cancer coalition or other similar organization when a priority is reducing skin cancer rates including melanoma.
An essential requirement for the cancer plans is to incorporate proven evidence-based programs to achieve measurable outcomes. All of IMPACT Melanoma’s programs are evidence-based and offer cancer coalitions the opportunity for unique, customized programs designed to increase awareness, provide prevention education, change behaviors, and ultimately save lives.
Several of our programs (Practice Safe Skin, IMPACT Shade and Safe Skin at Work) have been recognized by the CDC as effective community strategies for skin cancer prevention. Read this article from the CDC that includes our partnering with Vermont’s statewide cancer coalition – Vermonters Taking Action Against Cancer (VTAAC).
An Overview of Our Evidenced-Based Programs
Below is an overview of IMPACT Melanoma’s evidence-based programs and a summary of our metrics can be reported as part of a state’s cancer plan. Learn more about our programs here.
Practice Safe Skin
Our comprehensive sunscreen dispenser program builds awareness, offers prevention education, and access to free sunscreen. Community partners such as Parks & Recreation departments along with corporate sponsors can reach large audiences at beaches, parks, and in urban areas. This program addresses the common barriers to sunscreen use including cost and accessibility. Impact can be measured by tracking usage of sunscreen and estimating exposure to the signage to increase awareness.
Safe Skin at Work
A prevention education program to increase awareness among outdoor workers of the dangers of UV exposure. Our programs have effectively reached Parks & Recreation workers including lifeguards and camp counselors as well as construction companies.
The program includes prevention education materials to promote sun safe habits, encouraging regular skin checks, and often includes businesses and communities investing in portable shade, sun protective clothing (e.g., UPF clothing), and sunscreen dispensers for their workers. Success metrics can include tracking the number of outdoor workers trained, protective clothing distributed, number of sunscreen dispensers and sunscreen usage, as well as the number of portable shades provided.
IMPACT Shade
Shade is our partner in helping to reduce skin cancer rates including its deadliest form, melanoma. IMPACT Shade offers corporate sponsors and communities the opportunity to provide portable shade in communities, particularly in urban areas.
Success metrics can be tied to the number of portable shade structures available and tracking usage of portable shade to encourage people seeking shade to change behaviors and use shade as a natural and effective way to cool off and reduce UV exposure.
No Sun for Babies
Our prevention education program reaches new parents and caregivers and is especially effective to reach underserved communities to raise awareness of the importance of protecting an infant’s sensitive skin from the sun. This program includes prevention education materials and a sun protective baby blanket. Metrics are easy to track by reporting the number of No Sun for Babies packages distributed.
Be Skin Smart
An awareness and prevention education program designed to increase awareness among students of dangers of UV exposure. Adopting sun safe habits is achieved through education and implementation of programmatic elements. Number of students reached is an effective metric as well as number of Be Skin Smart surveys taken.
Here to help implement effective cancer plans
IMPACT Melanoma is the nation’s leading non-profit dedicated to significantly reducing the incidence of melanoma in the United States and saving lives. For communities, corporations, and cancer coalitions, we seek to work together as Partners in Prevention: customizing and implementing integrated, evidence-based, prevention education programs.
From Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont to Colorado, Nevada, North Carolina, and Michigan, we work today with cancer coalitions across the country. For another example of our work in action, read this case study of working with Mountains of Hope, the cancer coalition in West Virginia.
If you are looking for a Partner to work with you to implement an effective plan to reduce skin cancer and melanoma rates in your state, we welcome the opportunity to discuss your cancer plan and how our programs can assist in your achieving your objectives. We are looking for more Partners in Prevention to deliver on our mission!
