Skin,sun and sense: an evaluation of a skin cancer prevention campaign

Abstract

'Molewatch' was a public education campaign in West Glamorgan to raise the awareness of the general public about the dangers of excessive exposure to sunlight and to encourage the early detection of skin cancers, especially malignant melanomas. During 1995 a mobile trailer was used as a source of information for individuals, and also provided a focus for mass media attention. The evaluation reported here showed that media cove rage ensured that at least two million people had the opportunity to see or read about the campaign; 10,000 leaflets were distributed and the numbers referred to the dermatology clinic rose. Analysis of questionnaires ad ministered to visitors to the mobile trailer and six weeks after the campaign showed increased awareness about sun protection measures after the campaign, but no change in behaviour.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Committee on health promotion. Skin cancer - an epidemiological overview. Guidelines for health promotion. Faculty of Public Health Medicine 1995: 43; 3.

Marks R. , Whiteman D. Sunburn and melanoma: how strong is the evidence? British Medical Journal 1994: 308: 75-6.

Austoker J. Melanoma prevention and early diagnosis. British Medical Journal 1994: 308: 1682-6.

Herd RM , et al. Cutaneous malignant melanoma, Publicity screening clinics and survival - the Edinburgh experience 1982-90. British Journal of Dermatology 1995: 132: 563-70.

Mackie RM , Hole D. Audits of public education campaigns to encourage earlier detection of malignant melanoma. British Medical Journal 1992: 304: 1012-15.

Healsmith MF , Graham-Brown Rac , Osborne JE, London SP, Fletcher A. Further experience of public education for the early diagnosis of malignant melanoma in Leicestershire. British Medical Journal 1993: 18: 369-400.

Department of Health. The Health of the Nation: a Strategy for Health in England. London: HMSO, 1992.

Roberts DL Malignant melanoma in West Glamorgan - increasing evidence and improving prognosis, 1986-88. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology 1990: 15: 406-9.

Independent, Friday 1 September, 1995.

10.

Oakley A. , Bendelow G, Barnes J, Buchanan M, Nasseem Husain OA. Health and cancer prevention: knowledge and beliefs of children and young people. British Medical Journal 1995: 310: 1029-33.