Skin Cancer Prevention: An Interdisciplinary Analysis and Educational Intervention Proposal
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Interdisciplinary Studies
Faculty Mentor
Ginger Williams, Ph.D.
Abstract
Skin cancer is the most common cancer facing today’s society. Between 1982 and 2011, the percentage of Americans who developed melanoma doubled; one in five Americans will develop skin cancer within their lifetime. If preventative measures are not taken, 112,000 new melanoma cases are expected in the year 2030 alone. One method of combating the rising incidence numbers is through creating an educational program to combat the lack of proper skin care and skin protection knowledge. From previous literature, it is clear that young adults are a key demographic to consider when creating an interventional educational program, but results using this method have been modest, and it is unknown if the behavioral changes are continual. A customized education program is to be presented to students, who will be given a survey to assess their base knowledge, knowledge after the presentation, and retained knowledge after a few months. This study seeks to determine if an educational program would be an efficient method of combating the numbers at Winthrop University, gaining information as to the effectiveness and long-term effects of intervention programs within college-age individuals.
Course Assignment
INVS 395X – Williams
Start Date
20-4-2018 3:15 PM
Skin Cancer Prevention: An Interdisciplinary Analysis and Educational Intervention Proposal
West 219
Skin cancer is the most common cancer facing today’s society. Between 1982 and 2011, the percentage of Americans who developed melanoma doubled; one in five Americans will develop skin cancer within their lifetime. If preventative measures are not taken, 112,000 new melanoma cases are expected in the year 2030 alone. One method of combating the rising incidence numbers is through creating an educational program to combat the lack of proper skin care and skin protection knowledge. From previous literature, it is clear that young adults are a key demographic to consider when creating an interventional educational program, but results using this method have been modest, and it is unknown if the behavioral changes are continual. A customized education program is to be presented to students, who will be given a survey to assess their base knowledge, knowledge after the presentation, and retained knowledge after a few months. This study seeks to determine if an educational program would be an efficient method of combating the numbers at Winthrop University, gaining information as to the effectiveness and long-term effects of intervention programs within college-age individuals.
