269491 GOT BULBS? Get Cancer!: A University-Community partnership health education campaign for the prevention of skin cancer in college students

Monday, October 29, 2012

Heather Diaz, DrPH, MPH , School of Health and Human Services, Sacramento State University, Sacramento, CA
Dawn Nozika-Ferris, MHSE, MCHES , Public Health Institute, CA Comprehensive Cancer Control Program, Sacramento, CA
Between 1980-2004, the U.S. annual incidence of melanoma among young women increased by 50%, from 9.4 to 13.9 cases/100,000, of which indoor tanning is a main contributor. Data analysis revealed that Sacramento, CA has approximately the same number of tanning salons as McDonalds and Starbucks locations. Though many skin cancer awareness campaigns exist targeting the general public, no known campaigns exist that specifically focus on skin cancer risk from indoor tanning on CA college campuses. In 2010, Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) project was initiated in partnership between California State University, Sacramento and the CA Comprehensive Cancer Control Program. The purpose was to increase awareness and knowledge levels in college students about skin cancer risk specific to indoor tanning. More than 500 students participated in designing message framing, campaign slogan, resource tools, and specific presentation of information to be included in a formal presentation. Student participants received all campaign materials through two venues: 1) tabling in the university quad/health center; or 2) at the campus wellness fair. Participants were able to view existing solar damage on their face using a Derma Scan. Results indicated that the Derma Scan was a powerful tool in the improvement of student knowledge around solar cellular hidden damage of the face. In addition, the majority of participants sought basic skin protection information specifically on sunblock vs. sunscreen, waterproof lotions, application frequency etc. Modifications to the campaign were made to include this health education information for roll out to all CSU campuses.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Chronic disease management and prevention
Protection of the public in relation to communicable diseases including prevention or control
Public health or related education
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
By the end of the session, participants will be able to 1. Explain the risks of indoor tanning for college students on the progression of skin cancer; 2. Describe an effective university-based educational campaign to prevent skin cancer among college-age students.

Keywords: College Students, Cancer Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to be an abstract Author as I teach health sciences and oversee student research, theses and served as the co-PI of the study being presented.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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