Skin Cancer Prevention: Analysis of an Interdisciplinary and Educational Intervention Program Targeting College-Aged Individuals
Session Title
Cancer and Biomedical Research
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Interdisciplinary Studies
Abstract
Skin cancer is the most common cancer facing today’s society. Between 1982 and 2011, the percentage of Americans who developed melanoma doubled, and 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer within their lifetime. If preventative measures are not taken, 112,000 new melanoma cases are expected to develop in the year 2030 alone. One method of combating the rising incidence numbers is through creating an educational program to address the lack of proper skin care and skin protective knowledge. From previous literature, it is clear that young adults are a key demographic to consider when creating an interventional educational program. A customized education program was developed in collaboration with a local oncology nurse navigator. This program was presented to Winthrop University students, who were given a survey to assess their base knowledge and attitudes both before and immediately after the program. This study seeks to determine the extent to which an interdisciplinary and educational intervention program targeting college-aged individuals would be able to help combat high incidence rates of skin cancer.
Honors Thesis Committee
Ginger Williams, Ph.D.; Victoria Frost, Ph.D.; and Richard Jackson, M.S.
Course Assignment
IDVS 490H – Williams
Start Date
12-4-2019 1:15 PM
Skin Cancer Prevention: Analysis of an Interdisciplinary and Educational Intervention Program Targeting College-Aged Individuals
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, and 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer within their lifetime. If preventative measures are not taken, 112,000 new melanoma cases are expected to develop in the year 2030 alone. One method of combating the rising incidence numbers is through creating an educational program to address the lack of proper skin care and skin protective knowledge. From previous literature, it is clear that young adults are a key demographic to consider when creating an interventional educational program. A customized education program was developed in collaboration with a local oncology nurse navigator. This program was presented to Winthrop University students, who were given a survey to assess their base knowledge and attitudes both before and immediately after the program. This study seeks to determine the extent to which an interdisciplinary and educational intervention program targeting college-aged individuals would be able to help combat high incidence rates of skin cancer.
