Melanoma Awareness Project Curriculum © 2005 Joel Myres Melanoma Awareness Project

Melanoma Melanoma Awareness Project Awareness Project

CurriculumCurriculum

www.spotaspot.org

© 2005 Joel Myres Melanoma Awareness Project

http://www.spotaspot.org/

Today you will learn:Today you will learn:1.1.Too much sun exposure causes Too much sun exposure causes

sunburns, wrinkles, and sometimes sunburns, wrinkles, and sometimes deadly cancers, so learn sun safety!deadly cancers, so learn sun safety!

2.2.Melanoma, the most dangerous kind of Melanoma, the most dangerous kind of skin cancer, is common and kills people skin cancer, is common and kills people of all ages- but can be cured if found and of all ages- but can be cured if found and treated early.treated early.

3.3.If you notice a mole with any of the If you notice a mole with any of the ABCD features we’ll discuss, show it to a ABCD features we’ll discuss, show it to a skin doctor right away. It’s simple: skin doctor right away. It’s simple: Spot Spot a spot. Save a Life.a spot. Save a Life.

Did You Know?Did You Know?

• The skin is the largest organ of the The skin is the largest organ of the body.body.

• Your skin protects everything that lies Your skin protects everything that lies inside of you- a crucial job!inside of you- a crucial job!

• Skin cancer is the most common kind Skin cancer is the most common kind of cancer. There are 1.3 million cases of cancer. There are 1.3 million cases of skin cancer in the U.S. every year.of skin cancer in the U.S. every year.

• 1/3 of people living in southern 1/3 of people living in southern California will develop skin cancer in California will develop skin cancer in their lifetime…their lifetime…

Why should YOU care?Why should YOU care?• Melanoma, the deadliest kind of skin cancer, Melanoma, the deadliest kind of skin cancer,

kills one person every hour in the U.S.kills one person every hour in the U.S.11

• Most common cancer in women ages 20-29, Most common cancer in women ages 20-29, and the #1 cause of cancer deaths in and the #1 cause of cancer deaths in women ages 25-30.women ages 25-30.2

• It’s the kind of cancer whose incidence is It’s the kind of cancer whose incidence is rising fastest in men in Southern California.rising fastest in men in Southern California.3

• By 2010, about 1 in 50 people in the U.S. By 2010, about 1 in 50 people in the U.S. will get melanoma!will get melanoma!4

• Melanoma is one of the top causes of Melanoma is one of the top causes of life years lost to preventable cancer.life years lost to preventable cancer.

Melanoma affects all of Melanoma affects all of us…us… • While people with While people with

darker skin are less darker skin are less likely to get likely to get melanoma, they still melanoma, they still may get it and die may get it and die from it, partly because from it, partly because of late detection.of late detection.

• We all have loved We all have loved ones and friends at ones and friends at risk.risk.

• By teaching others By teaching others about melanoma, you about melanoma, you may help save lives!may help save lives!

… … Beautiful CaliforniaBeautiful California

•Of all states, California will have the Of all states, California will have the greatest number of new Melanoma cases greatest number of new Melanoma cases in 2005- approximately 5,440.in 2005- approximately 5,440.55

•Of all counties in California, Orange County Of all counties in California, Orange County has the second highest annual count of has the second highest annual count of melanoma (second to Los Angeles, melanoma (second to Los Angeles, followed by San Diego).followed by San Diego).33

•Your biggest risk factor for melanoma is Your biggest risk factor for melanoma is living here… Learn to protect yourself!living here… Learn to protect yourself!

Melanoma kills people Melanoma kills people like you and me every like you and me every

day.day.• BUT IT DOESN’T HAVE TO!!! BUT IT DOESN’T HAVE TO!!!

• Melanoma is 95-100% curable if caught Melanoma is 95-100% curable if caught early and treated quickly.early and treated quickly.

• 19/20 melanoma deaths might have been 19/20 melanoma deaths might have been prevented by education alone.prevented by education alone.

• Today we’ll teach you about your skin, how Today we’ll teach you about your skin, how to enjoy the sun safely, and how you can to enjoy the sun safely, and how you can

Spot a Spot and Save a Life!!!Spot a Spot and Save a Life!!!

This is the sun…This is the sun…

• The sun gives off dangerous radiation that reaches The sun gives off dangerous radiation that reaches your skin in the form of UVA and UVB rays…on sunny your skin in the form of UVA and UVB rays…on sunny AND cloudy days. AND cloudy days.

• Although it is critical for plants to grow and for fun Although it is critical for plants to grow and for fun summer days, it can be more harmful than you summer days, it can be more harmful than you imagine. Learn how to enjoy it safely!imagine. Learn how to enjoy it safely!

This is your skin…This is your skin…

Sunburn = Sunburn = SeriousSerious Sun Sun DamageDamage

• Having one blistering Having one blistering sunburn under the age of sunburn under the age of 20 20 doublesdoubles your lifetime your lifetime risk of melanoma. risk of melanoma.

• Three or more blistering Three or more blistering sunburns increase your risk sunburns increase your risk of melanoma of melanoma five times. five times.

• Your chances of developing Your chances of developing a sunburn are greatest a sunburn are greatest between 10am and 4pm, between 10am and 4pm, when the sun’s rays are when the sun’s rays are strongest.strongest.

The Shadow RuleThe Shadow Rule

• The sun’s rays are less intense at times The sun’s rays are less intense at times when your shadow is longer than you are.when your shadow is longer than you are.

Sun Damage Sun Damage Wrinkles Wrinkles

• While wrinkles can occur naturally with age, they While wrinkles can occur naturally with age, they can appear earlier and be more severe because of can appear earlier and be more severe because of sun exposure we get when we’re young. sun exposure we get when we’re young.

• We get approximately 80% of our lifetime sun We get approximately 80% of our lifetime sun exposure before we are 18 years old.exposure before we are 18 years old.

Sun Damage Sun Damage Skin CancerSkin Cancer

Basal Cell CarcinomaBasal Cell Carcinoma• Most common type of Most common type of

skin cancer: skin cancer: about 1 about 1 million cases each million cases each year in the U.S.year in the U.S.

• Slow-growing, rarely Slow-growing, rarely fatal, but can be fatal, but can be disfiguringdisfiguring

• Caused by a large Caused by a large amount of total amount of total accumulated lifetime accumulated lifetime sun exposuresun exposure

Photographs courtesy of Gary Cole, MD

Squamous Cell CarcinomaSquamous Cell Carcinoma

• Second most common type of skin cancerSecond most common type of skin cancer

• If treated early, 100% curableIf treated early, 100% curable

• If untreated, can spread through body and can killIf untreated, can spread through body and can kill

• Caused by large amount of total accumulated lifetime sun exposureCaused by large amount of total accumulated lifetime sun exposure

Photograph courtesy of Gary Cole, MD

MelanomaMelanoma

If you notice a mole on your body that has changed If you notice a mole on your body that has changed or has any of the ABCD features, go to a or has any of the ABCD features, go to a

dermatologist (skin doctor) right away to have it dermatologist (skin doctor) right away to have it checked. DON’T WAIT!!!checked. DON’T WAIT!!!

Photographs courtesy of Kenneth Linden, MD, PhD

MelanomaMelanoma




MelanomaMelanoma




It’s easy to SPOT A SPOT: It’s easy to SPOT A SPOT: The ABCD’s of MelanomaThe ABCD’s of Melanoma

ASSYMETRY:-If you were to fold it in half, the two sides

wouldn’t match up.

BORDER IRREGULARITY:-Jagged or blurred edges rather than smooth,

continuous line.

COLOR VARIATION or CHANGE: -Two or more different colors are present.-A mole has been changing in any way.

DIAMETER: -Any sudden or continuing growth

-Any mole larger than 6mm (pencil-top eraser)

(Images and text borrowed with permission from the American Academy of Dermatology6)

It’s easier to SPOT A SPOTIt’s easier to SPOT A SPOT if you look for it! if you look for it!


It’s easier to SPOT A SPOTIt’s easier to SPOT A SPOTif you look for it!if you look for it!


Let’s Review Risk FactorsLet’s Review Risk Factorsfor Skin Cancerfor Skin Cancer

•Living in CaliforniaLiving in California•Having fair skin, eyes, or hair, or Having fair skin, eyes, or hair, or

skin that sunburns easily (although skin that sunburns easily (although anyone can get melanoma)anyone can get melanoma)

•1 or more blistering sunburn in life1 or more blistering sunburn in life•Having had a lot of sun exposureHaving had a lot of sun exposure•Having >50 moles on your bodyHaving >50 moles on your body•Having a family member who has Having a family member who has

had skin cancerhad skin cancer

PROTECT YOURSELF:PROTECT YOURSELF:Use Sunscreen!!! Use Sunscreen!!!

• Apply SUNSCREEN 30 minutes Apply SUNSCREEN 30 minutes before going outdoors.before going outdoors.

• Reapply several times a day – Reapply several times a day – every 2 to 3 hours.every 2 to 3 hours.

• Reapply after swimming, playing Reapply after swimming, playing or exercising outdoors.or exercising outdoors.

• Apply on sunny AND cloudy days.Apply on sunny AND cloudy days.

(Note: We are not endorsing any particular brands, just showing some

examples of variety available.)

……It’s never too early to It’s never too early to learn sun safety habits!learn sun safety habits!

• SunscreenSunscreen, SPF > 15, applied several times daily, every day, SPF > 15, applied several times daily, every day

• SunglassesSunglasses that protect against UVA and UVB rays that protect against UVA and UVB rays

• Hats, shirtsHats, shirts, and other protective clothing, and other protective clothing• Seek shadeSeek shade when possible, and remember the Shadow Rule when possible, and remember the Shadow Rule

• Regular self- skin checks: Regular self- skin checks: You can’t spot a spot if you don’t lookYou can’t spot a spot if you don’t look

Joel’s StoryJoel’s Story Joel Myres was born and raised in San Diego, CA.Joel Myres was born and raised in San Diego, CA.

He loved camping, hiking, backpacking, fishing, and He loved camping, hiking, backpacking, fishing, and reading. reading.

When Joel was just 16, his mother When Joel was just 16, his mother noticed a mole on his neck that had noticed a mole on his neck that had changed. It was melanoma. It was changed. It was melanoma. It was removed without too much trouble removed without too much trouble

andand Joel went on with his life. Joel went on with his life.

After high school, Joel went to Spain for 2 years, and After high school, Joel went to Spain for 2 years, and then attended BYU for college. He did research in then attended BYU for college. He did research in

genetics and archaeology including genetics and archaeology including adventurous expeditions to placesadventurous expeditions to places like Peru and Egypt. He analyzed like Peru and Egypt. He analyzed DNA from ancient skeletons in a lab DNA from ancient skeletons in a lab at BYU and published his work.at BYU and published his work.

In 1997, Joel married Natalie, In 1997, Joel married Natalie, his love from college. They came to his love from college. They came to Irvine, where Joel started medical Irvine, where Joel started medical school at UC Irvine. He continued to school at UC Irvine. He continued to do well academically, making many do well academically, making many friends along the way. friends along the way.

Just after he’d finished his Just after he’d finished his secondsecondyear of medical school, Joel noticed a year of medical school, Joel noticed a lumplumpin his abdomen. It was melanoma that in his abdomen. It was melanoma that had spread through his body from so had spread through his body from so many years before.many years before.

Joel’s StoryJoel’s Story

Joel battled the cancer courageously Joel battled the cancer courageously and and received the best treatments. received the best treatments. Even during Even during the toughest times, he the toughest times, he continued to learn continued to learn and study, and study, pursuing his genealogy research pursuing his genealogy research between treatments, with his wife andbetween treatments, with his wife and

family’s support.family’s support.

Joel’s StoryJoel’s Story

On March 7, 2001, at age 31, Joel passed away from On March 7, 2001, at age 31, Joel passed away from melanoma, less than one year after being diagnosed with melanoma, less than one year after being diagnosed with

metastatic melanoma. metastatic melanoma. During his lifetime, Joel’s intelligence, goodness, integrity, and During his lifetime, Joel’s intelligence, goodness, integrity, and

remarkable accomplishments inspired the lives and earned remarkable accomplishments inspired the lives and earned the admiration of all who knew him.the admiration of all who knew him.

Joel’sJoel’s memory will continue to live on, not only in the hearts of memory will continue to live on, not only in the hearts of all those touched by him, but also through this project, as all those touched by him, but also through this project, as

his memory teaches young teens the importance of his memory teaches young teens the importance of melanoma prevention and early detection.melanoma prevention and early detection.

REMEMBER!REMEMBER!1.1.Too much sun exposure causes Too much sun exposure causes

sunburns, wrinkles, and sometimes sunburns, wrinkles, and sometimes deadly cancers. Be Sun Safe.deadly cancers. Be Sun Safe.

2.2.Melanoma, the most dangerous kind of Melanoma, the most dangerous kind of skin cancer, kills people of all ages- but skin cancer, kills people of all ages- but can be cured if found and treated early.can be cured if found and treated early.

3.3.If you notice a mole with any of the If you notice a mole with any of the ABCD features we’ll discuss, show it to ABCD features we’ll discuss, show it to a skin doctor right away. It’s simple: a skin doctor right away. It’s simple: Spot a spot. Save a Life.Spot a spot. Save a Life.

At this point, one or both of the following group activities may be used

to encourage interaction and reinforce learning.

• Group Activity #1: Fun in the Sun: What’s hot and what’s not? -(slides 22-25) When shown the images, students are to brainstorm what risk factors are present, what the people are doing right to protect themselves, and what they should be doing differently. A team format may be used to encourage competition and participation, where the side of the room with the quickest and most correct responses “wins.” This activity reinforces sun safety habits.

• Group Activity #2: Spot a Spot: Safe or not? -(slides 26-29) When shown each set of 2 images, students are to decide which image is a possible melanoma and which is a normal (“safe”) mole. Then they are to explain how they decided that, using the ABCDs of melanoma. A team format may be used to encourage competition and participation, where the side of the room with the quickest and most correct responses “wins.” This activity reinforces self screening/early detection.

• All students should be shown slide #30 and encouraged to participate in the Poster Contest. This will give them a sense of ownership of the melanoma message, and will encourage them to spread the word!

Day at the BeachDay at the Beach

SKI TRIPSKI TRIP

Outdoor Outdoor SportsSports

TanningTanning

SPOT the SPOT: SPOT the SPOT: MELANOMA vs. MOLE?MELANOMA vs. MOLE?

A

B

C

D

Photograph courtesy of Kenneth Linden, MD, PhD


A

B



A B

C D


M.A.P. POSTER CONTEST!!!M.A.P. POSTER CONTEST!!!

• Fight skin cancer and save lives!Fight skin cancer and save lives!• Design a poster promoting:Design a poster promoting:

•Safer sun enjoymentSafer sun enjoyment•Skin-cancer self screeningSkin-cancer self screening•The ABCDs of melanoma/ how to SPOT A The ABCDs of melanoma/ how to SPOT A SPOTSPOT•Any other idea to teach others about skin Any other idea to teach others about skin cancercancer

• PRIZES!!!PRIZES!!!• Submitted posters may be eligible Submitted posters may be eligible for for display and/or publication in books ordisplay and/or publication in books or magazines to raise melanoma magazines to raise melanoma awareness awareness

• Get details from your teacher or fromGet details from your teacher or from www.spotaspot.orgwww.spotaspot.org

… … Now it’s your Now it’s your turnturn

•Please share what you’ve Please share what you’ve learned with family/ friends!learned with family/ friends!

For more information about the For more information about the Melanoma Awareness Project, visitMelanoma Awareness Project, visit

www. spotaspot.orgwww. spotaspot.org

ReferencesReferences• 1) Melanoma Education Foundation; www.skincheck.org 1) Melanoma Education Foundation; www.skincheck.org • 2) Lotze MT, Dallal RM, Kirkwood JM, Flickinger JC. Cutaneous melanoma. In DeVita VT, 2) Lotze MT, Dallal RM, Kirkwood JM, Flickinger JC. Cutaneous melanoma. In DeVita VT,

Rosenberg SA, Hellman S. (eds.), Rosenberg SA, Hellman S. (eds.), Principles and Practice of OncologyPrinciples and Practice of Oncology, 6th ed. , 6th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott, 2001. Philadelphia: Lippincott, 2001.

• 3) National Cancer Institute, State Cancer Profiles. www.statecancerprofiles.cancer.gov 3) National Cancer Institute, State Cancer Profiles. www.statecancerprofiles.cancer.gov • 4) 4) Rigel D, Friedman R, Dzubow L, Reintgen D, Marks R, Bystryn JC (eds.). Rigel D, Friedman R, Dzubow L, Reintgen D, Marks R, Bystryn JC (eds.). Cancer of the Cancer of the

Skin. Skin. New York: WB Sunders Co, 2005.New York: WB Sunders Co, 2005.• 5) American Cancer Society, Statistics. www.cancer.org/statistics5) American Cancer Society, Statistics. www.cancer.org/statistics• 6) American Academy of Dermatology, (bookmarks.) 6) American Academy of Dermatology, (bookmarks.) www.aad.orgwww.aad.org

Many thanks to Barbara and Jerry Myres, and to Natalie,Many thanks to Barbara and Jerry Myres, and to Natalie,

for sharing Joel’s memory with us.for sharing Joel’s memory with us.

2005-6 Melanoma Awareness Project Curriculum. Copyright 2005 Joel Myres Melanoma Awareness Project. Waller JM, Rietkerk W, Phillips J, Lam K, McCullough J, Osann K, Linden K.

http://www.aad.org/

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Melanoma Awareness Project Curriculum © 2005 Joel Myres Melanoma Awareness Project