The Center for Disease Control reports that recent research indicates 74% of young adults have no knowledge of malignant melanoma.  That statement alone is impetus enough for the creation of this site and my mission to educate on the prevention of melanoma.  We must make these young people understand that while they may be pursuing what our society and the vanity industry touts as "beautiful," that message has the real potential for physical disfigurement and premature aging and death.  Melanoma Can Kill!

Why Bother With Teaching Students About Melanoma?

Joel's Story: Told by his dad. For young people who think they know it all.  Joel was diagnosed at 14 and died at 18 of melanoma!

"Skin cancer is currently the most common form of cancer in the United States. A recent study indicates that one in five persons will develop a skin cancer in his or her lifetime. The incidence is even higher in the Sunbelt , where one out of every three residents will develop skin cancer during his or her lifetime.

Of particular concern is the increased incidence of melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer. The mortality rate for melanoma is 20%, second only to lung cancer. The incidence rate is increasing by 4% annually, has doubled in the last decade, and is climbing faster than that of any other cancer.

Some scientists predict melanoma will become one of the most important public health problems facing the medical community in the next century." Source: The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Reuters Health Information (2003-02-12):  A little sun may boost kids skin cancer risk.

The Visiderm (R) Skin Monitoring System is an educational, easy-to-use, comparison system that improves personal awareness of changes in color, size, shape, and other features of moles or pigmented skin spots that may signal skin cancer and melanoma.

Mikes Page has over 300 links to information about all aspects of Melanoma.

Melanoma:Sun Safety For Kids: The ABC's of melanoma

Dispelling  Stereotypes :

"If a family member has developed a skin cancer, that is a warning sign for the entire family to take heart.  Having said that, what I don't want to give is the impression that the majority of individuals who get skin cancer are blond frecklers. That is actually not true. If you look in my waiting room the majority of the patients are in fact, brunettes.

What it means is that 'blond frecklers' may be a 3 times the risk of people who are brunettes. But the blondes only make up 5-10% of the population.

People who are dark skinned like myself can be deluded into thinking they are protected. We still get skin cancer from sun exposure. My parents are darker than I and both have had skin cancer."   Source: Dr. Allan C. Halpern, Chief of Dermatology Services, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. "What You Should Know About Skin Cancer"

(must visit ) MSKCC

Links: MelanomaNet, the basic facts!

The ABC's (D&E)  Of Melanoma
 Asymmetric, Border, Color, Diameter, Elevation
 

Above Photographs: Wessex Cancer Trust (Canada)

A is for asymmetry. Most benign moles tend to be symmetric. Melanomas, on the other hand, tend to be asymmetrical.

B is for border. Benign moles usually have a very clear-cut border. Early melanomas tend to have a notched, irregular or indistinct border.

C is for color. While benign moles can be light or dark, they typically have a uniform color. In contrast, early melanomas have an uneven color.

D is for diameter. Most melanomas, in addition to the ABC characteristics, have a diameter greater than 6 millimeters. If your mole or growth has one or more of the ABCDE's, you should show it to a physician as soon as possible!

About the E "Some melanomas begin the dangerous vertical growth phase with little or no radial growth first. For these melanomas there may be no obvious "ABCD" changes, which is why it is so important to watch for and act immediately if you see an E which is for elevation (Elevation) The beginning of a bump or surface elevation mole, freckle, blemish, or birthmark. A thickness increase of a mole, freckle, blemish, or birthmark even if slight.

Elevation changes are important because, when the thickness of a melanoma exceeds 0.75 mm (about 1/32nd of an inch), the chance of internal spread starts to increase. The illustrations below show a melanoma growing in the skin.

 Epidermis 

 Dermis 

 Subcutaneous Layers

Authentic Education For Melanoma Prevention: With education the process above can by in large be eliminated.   Teachers take note! You are working with the most preventable cancer we know!

A detailed audio tutorial on all specifics of melanoma from the National Institutes of Health.

Downloadable multimedia presentation that is ideal for classrooms.

The EPA SunWise Site
   Visit the EPA SunWise Site to help educators raise sun safety awareness. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed the SunWise School Program for grades K-8. SunWise Partner Schools sponsor classroom and school-wide activities that raise children's awareness of stratospheric ozone depletion, UV radiation, and simple sun safety practices.

M. D. Anderson Cancer Center - Project S.A.F.E.T.Y.
   M. D. Anderson Cancer Center - Project S.A.F.E.T.Y.  The overall goal of Project S.A.F.E.T.Y. is to educate children and teens about the dangers of overexposure to the sun and to promote behaviors which will reduce their lifetime risk of developing skin cancer, particularly melanoma. Age-appropriate classroom modules have been developed for elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools.

Goals Objectives and Components for :
  1.  Program for Elementary Schools
  2.  Program for Middle Schools
  3.  Program for High Schools

Ordering Information:
Ordering Information:  MD Anderson Cancer Center Project S.A.F.E.T.Y Teachers Guide and CD-Rom ordering information for schools and organizations

  SDHW - School & Workplace Policy   AMC Cancer Research Center guides for students and teachers.

Sun Rays - A Major Health Hazard Today   A multi-media downloadable presentation from the Skin Cancer Foundation.

CDC | Cancer Prevention and Control | Choose Your Cover   The CDC skin cancer prevention initiative.

SunGuard Man Online Homepage   Teachers download your SunGuard curriculum.

The Sun Safety Alliance is a non profit coalition dedicated to the task of reducing skin cancer in America.  

  Teachersource | Browse or Search the Catalogue       Ultraviolet sensitive beads to make bracelets, do search for UV BEADS

Technology and Problem Based Learning concerning Melanoma

Melanoma Template : A template for authentic instruction. Provides students with an online method to address real world problems, access related information, type their observations on line, print and hand in.

The Skin Cancer Foundation : Online catalog for informational supplies and aids Books About Melanoma.

Melanoma Patients' Information Page Bookstore : All books in the melanoma patients bookstore have been recomended by melanoma patients and their care givers.

Online Continuing Medical Education (CME): The Virtual Lecture Hall : Improve your confidence in evaluating pigmented skin lesions. Utilize a practical approach for managing your patients at risk for skin cancer. Refresh your knowledge of the treatment approaches used for malignant and pre-malignant skin lesions.

Philosophy Behind Problem Based Education

Chalk Tray : Offers an overview of problem based instruction that relates readably to the prevention of melanoma.

Authentic Instruction : Authentic instruction is a model for high-quality instruction developed by Fred Newmann (1993). It lists five major components of the teaching process:

A Model of Effective Instruction : Five Standards of Authentic Instruction. What types of instruction engage students in using their minds well? A framework developed at Wisconsin's Center on Organization and Restructuring of Schools may be a valuable tool for teachers and researchers attempting to answer this complex question.

Browse The Stacks:

LinkOut is a jumping-off  point from PubMed citations to relevant resources on the web, such as full-text articles, library holdings, commentaries, author biographies, practice guidelines, consumer health information and research tools.

Disclaimer:  This site was designed as a result of personal experience and is offered for educational purposes only. It is not engaged in rendering medical advice. The information offered here should not be used for diagnosis or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, you should consult your health care provider.