Daily Debriefing
Effectively preventing skin cancer is a job for communities, not just individuals, according to a new study by Dartmouth Medical School researchers. Skin cancer, caused by sun damage to the skin early in life, is theoretically easy to prevent, but as children enter their middle school years and adopt their own health habits, protective practices drastically decline. Published in the January issue of "Pediatrics," the study "SunSafe in the Middle School Years" targeted 10 New Hampshire and Vermont communities, studying the skin protection habits of almost 2,000 sixth through eighth graders. The researchers recruited teens and adults to deliver messages on safe skin care through clothing, the use of sunscreen, and more time spent in the shade. The study found that within two years, the students' skin care habits were much improved as compared to other teens in the area. The researchers recommend that these programs should be integrated into communities and begin early in middle school.