Maine
A Model Community Skin Cancer Prevention Program Proves to Be Successful and Replicable
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Public Health Problem
Melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer,
accounts for 78% of all skin cancer deaths in the United States. Although Maine's melanoma
rates are lower than those of other states, the number of new cases diagnosed in Maine is growing at a faster rate than in the rest of the country. Additionally, the incidence of melanoma in Maine has almost tripled since 1990, an increase
not seen in any other state.
Exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays appears to be the most important factor in the development
of skin cancer. When sun-protection methods
are used consistently, skin cancer is largely preventable.
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Program Example
In 2002, the Maine Cancer Consortium, Maine's comprehensive cancer control
partnership, developed a model community skin cancer prevention program and
pilot tested the program in Portland, Maine. Key partners in this effort
included the American Cancer Society (ACS), the City of Portland Public Health
Division, and other agencies and organizations participating in the consortium's
Skin Cancer Task Force. The program had three components: 1) the provision of
sun-safety materials and education to expecting and new parents; 2) the
distribution of sunscreen and educational materials at a minor-league baseball
game; and 3) the development and implementation of sun-protection policies for
employees of the City of Portland Parks and Recreation Department and for
patrons of the city's parks and summer recreation programs.
During May of 2002 (National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention
Month), Portland hospitals inaugurated the first element of the model program.
Under this component, called the No Sun
for Baby program, maternity staff distributed "Sun Safety Kits" to
380 sets of new parents and incorporated sun-safety instruction into childbirth
education classes and baby bathing demonstrations. Each kit contained a plastic
pail and shovel, a baby sun hat, ACS educational information on protecting
babies from excessive sun exposure, and a program evaluation postcard. Feedback
received from parents was very positive, and hospital staff reported that the
program was easy to implement and required very little time to maintain. Program
costs were about $6.50 per newborn, but could be reduced by using a plastic bag
instead of the pail or by replacing purchased sun hats with hats made by
volunteer groups.
Later that summer, the consortium distributed 500 packets of sunscreen at a
Portland Sea Dogs baseball game designated as "Protect the Skin You're in Day."
Public service announcements about skin cancer prevention were delivered over
the public address system during the game, consortium volunteers handed out
educational materials provided by ACS, and the game program contained a
consortium advertisement promoting sun safety. Also that summer, the City of
Portland Parks and Recreation Department developed and implemented sun-safety
policies for park workers and patrons. These policies called for outdoor work
and recreational activities to be scheduled before 10:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m.
whenever possible from March through October. In addition, they described
specific protective measures that can be employed by individuals and called for
those practices to be promoted through staff meetings and newsletters; through
posters, notices, signs, or brochures posted or distributed in city parks; and
through modeling by departmental staff.
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Implication and Impact
The overwhelming success achieved by this model program during its 2002 pilot test has subsequently led to 1) the program's continuation
and growth in Portland, 2) replication of the program in other Maine communities, and 3) inquiries
about the program from other interested states. There are 29 hospitals with birthing units in Maine. About three fourths of these institutions
are now conducting No Sun for Baby programs
on a year-round basis, potentially reaching
the parents of 10,000 newborns annually. The Maine Cancer Consortium expects that all 29 of these hospitals will have implemented this program by June 2006.
In Portland, the consortium has made "Protect the Skin You're in Day" an annual event in partnership
with the Sea Dogs baseball team. The amount of sunscreen distributed has grown from about 500 packets in 2002 to 2,000 packets
in 2005. This sunscreen has been donated by the American Cancer Society and by Schering-
Plough Pharmaceuticals.
The consortium has encouraged its members to replicate and adapt Portland's model program in their communities. Consortium staff continue to work with the Maine Recreation and Park Association
to increase the number of local park and recreation departments that have developed and implemented sun-protection policies. With more than 6,000 persons participating in local recreation programs each summer, including many young people, this effort has the potential to make a large and lasting impact on public awareness and behavior. With the exception of the "Protect the Skin You're in Day" component, the Portland model program is widely replicable, easily adaptable, and very sustainable.
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Contact Information
Maine Comprehensive Cancer Control Program*
Comprehensive Cancer Control Program
Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, DHHS
11 State House Station
286 Water Street, 5th Floor
Augusta,
ME 04333-0011
(207) 287-4715
Fax: (207) 287-7213
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service to our users. These links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their
programs by CDC or the federal government, and none should be inferred. The CDC is not responsible
for the content of the individual organization's Web pages found at these links.
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