© 2024 KRCU Public Radio
90.9 Cape Girardeau | 88.9-HD Ste. Genevieve | 88.7 Poplar Bluff
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
With some questionable health advice being posted by your friends on Facebook, politicians arguing about the state of the American healthcare system and a new medical study being summarized in just a sentence or two on TV---that seems to contradict the study you heard summarized yesterday---it can be overwhelming to navigate the ever-changing landscape of health news.

Skin Cancer

Slip, Slop, Slap! This slogan, coined in 1981, became one of the most popular public service announcements in Victoria, Australia. The alliterative command was given by a seagull on the beach in an attempt to get swimmers to SLIP on protective clothing, SLOP on sunscreen and SLAP on a wide-brimmed hat. In the decade that followed, there was a 50% reduction in sunburn among Victoria residents.  

Americans could take a lesson from that Aussie seagull. The Skin Care Foundation states that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime. Skin cancer can be disfiguring and life-threatening. 

About 90 percent of nonmelanoma skin cancers and about 86 percent of melanomas---the most deadly form of skin cancer--- can be attributed to exposure from the sun.

In addition to preventing excess sun exposure---seeking shade and sliding on sunglasses have been added to the original slogan--- it is also important to look for early warning signs of skin cancer. Do a self exam once a month to look for new skin growths or changes in existing ones. Contact a doctor if you spot any changes in the ABCDs: Asymmetry, Border, Color or Diameter of the growth. It’s a good idea to have a skin exam performed by a doctor annually. 

Resources:
http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sun-protection/prevention-guidelines
http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/early-detection/if-you-can-spot-it-you-can-stop-it
http://www.sunsmart.com.au/downloads/about-sunsmart/sunsmart-20-years-on.pdf
http://www.sunsmart.com.au/tools/videos/past-tv-campaigns/slip-slop-slap-original-sunsmart-campaign.html
https://www.asds.net/10-Skin-Cancer-Myths-Debunked/
 

Dr. Brooke Hildebrand Clubbs is an assistant professor in the Department of Leadership, Middle & Secondary Education. She writes for special publications of The Southeast Missourian and is a certified Community Health Worker.
Related Content