School Policy A sun safety school policy covering sun protection for the children and employees can significantly reduce skin cancer risk, especially when the policy is comprehensive and it strongly encourages sun-safe behaviors. Why is sun safety necessary? Because skin cancer is so preventable! Aside from avoiding tobacco smoke to prevent lung cancer, how many other types of cancer can you think of for which the risk can be greatly reduced by making a simple behavioral change? The vast majority of skin cancer is caused by overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation, particularly during childhood. The incidence continues to increase, and presently one American dies every hour from this disease. If children learn how and why to protect themselves from the sun, they will enjoy a much lower risk of developing skin cancer. Schools’ Role & Responsibility Though parents have a prime responsibility to teach sun-safe behavior to their children, schools are automatically involved in this issue because UV radiation strikes children, as well as personnel, when they are outdoors on the school campus. Children can, and sometimes do, get sunburned at school. This is significant because childhood sunburns are linked to the development of melanoma, the most deadly of the common skin cancers. Schools could not only teach children the principles of sun safety but could also adopt policies aimed at protecting students and staff from the sun’s harm while they are at school and school-sponsored events. Make the policy comprehensive An effective sun safety policy should address at least the following issues: Use of wide brim hats whenever outside Sunscreen and lip balm Classroom instruction Shade options Employee education and training Communication Evaluation of policy on an annual basis |
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