For Release: June 14, 2002
Contact: DMS Communications (603) 650-1492
Dartmouth SunSafe Project for Skin Cancer Prevention Targets Adolescents
HANOVER, NH - Dartmouth Medical School and Norris Cotton Cancer Center are conducting SunSafe in the Middle School Years, the only National Cancer Institute skin cancer prevention research project for adolescents.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Preventing sunburns and overexposure to the sun in children and adolescents will reduce their risk of skin cancer.
Dr. Ardis Olson, a pediatrician, and Dr. Allen Dietrich, a family practice physician, are building upon their previous work that improved solar protection behaviors of children ages 2-10. In conjunction with Dartmouth Medical School and Norris Cotton Cancer Center, they are now conducting SunSafe in the Middle School Years, the only National Cancer Institute skin cancer prevention research project for adolescents. Children in the middle school years are beginning to establish their own health behaviors. Their choices are influenced by peers, school, community and family. In order to improve youth solar protection the project will 1) explore how teens make health care choices and 2) educate youth about solar protection.
Almost 1000 NH and VT middle school students were surveyed in summer of 2001.
- 84% believe sun protection prevents skin cancer
- 77% think tan is attractive
- 7% wear a hat when outside
- 29% wear sunscreen
