Prevention of Skin Cancer, 2004
Cancer Prevention-Cancer Causes Series, Vol. 3

Our series Cancer Prevention - Cancer Control continues to address the causes and prevention of cancer. In this volume, Hill, Elwood, and English bring together a rich resource summarizing the state of science underpinning the primary prevention of skin cancer. While skin cancer causes an increasing burden, particularly in populations of European origin, our understanding of the role of sun exposure together with the genetic components of skin cancer continues to grow. Given the emphasis on evidence-based medicine and public health prevention efforts, it is noteworthy that, although we can all access the same evidence base, countries around the world have had remarkably different responses to the application of this knowledge to prevent skin cancer. The outstanding contribution of the Australian public health community to the scientific understanding of skin cancer etiology and the translation of this knowledge into national prevention efforts uniquely positions the editors to compile this volume focused on the primary prevention of skin cancer. In so doing they draw on an international team of authors to present a ?state of the science? summary of skin cancer prevention and to identify those areas where uncertainty remains. To achieve successful prevention of cancer we must translate our scientific knowledge base into effective prevention programs. This book offers the reader keen insights into the depth of our understanding of etiologic pathways for skin cancer. This etiologic science base is complemented by rigorous prevention science placing emphasis on the social context for effective and sustained prevention efforts.

The scope of the book.- Who gets skin cancer: individual risk factors.- Solar and ultraviolet radiation.- Stratospheric ozone depletion, UV exposure and skin cancer: a scenario analysis.- Descriptive epidemiology of skin cancer.- How sun exposure causes skin cancer: an epidemiological perspective.- The role of genetics in the prevention of skin cancer.- Sunscreens: can they prevent skin cancer?.- Issues about solaria.- Animal models of ultraviolet radiation-induced skin cancer.- Skin cancer induction by UV radiation: molecular UV targets and quantitative risk models.- Patterns and causes of sun exposing and sun protecting behavior.- What can be done to reduce personal ultraviolet radiation exposure?.- Impact of intervention strategies to reduce UVR exposure.- Skin cancer prevention: an economic perspective.- Conclusions.