Prevention and Control of Skin Cancer

Tuesday, April 21 at 1pm EST.

Photo Credit: Queensland Department of Health

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, affecting 5 million individuals each year. The two most common types of skin cancer—basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas—are highly curable, but can be disfiguring and costly. Melanoma, the third most common skin cancer, is the deadliest kind of skin cancer, resulting in approximately 9,000 deaths each year. Most cases of skin cancer are preventable, but despite efforts to address risk factors, skin cancer rates have continued to increase in the United States and worldwide.

The most preventable cause of skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light either from the sun or from artificial sources like tanning beds. Rates of sunburn remain high, affecting nearly 37% of Americans each year as a result of overexposure to UV rays. Indoor tanning is especially dangerous, resulting in an estimated 400,000 cases of skin cancer in the U.S. each year. Skin cancer is a serious public health concern and it will take a comprehensive approach, involving healthcare providers, community partners, and business and government leaders working together to provide individuals with the information they need to reduce UV exposure and promote policies that advance the national goal of preventing skin cancer.

Join us for this session of Grand Rounds as our esteemed panel discusses the prevention and control of skin cancer, with particular attention to how we all can help people protect their skin and their lives while enjoying the outdoors.

Presentation

Presented By:

Meg Watson, MPH
Epidemiologist, Epidemiology and Applied Research Branch
Division of Cancer Prevention and Control
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, CDC
"Skin Cancer: Common and Preventable"

Sharon McKenna, BA
Program Manager, Arizona SunWise Skin Cancer Prevention Program,
Bureau of Epidemiology & Disease Control, Arizona Department of Health Services
"Skin Cancer Prevention in Arizona"

Jeff Gershenwald, MD
Medical Director, Melanoma and Skin Center
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
"Melanoma Moon Shot: MD Anderson's Comprehensive Approach to Melanoma and Skin Cancer"

Boris Lushniak, MD, MPH
Rear Admiral, U. S. Public Health Service
Deputy Surgeon General
"A Comprehensive Approach to Skin Cancer Prevention"

Facilitated By:

John Iskander, MD, MPH, Scientific Director, Public Health Grand Rounds
Phoebe Thorpe, MD, MPH, Deputy Scientific Director, Public Health Grand Rounds
Susan Laird, MSN, RN, Communications Director, Public Health Grand Rounds

Additional Resources:

• CDC Skin Cancer Information
• Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent Skin Cancer
• Dr. Espey's Medscape
• Infographic: Costs of Skin cancer
• Reducing Indoor Tanning Among Minors