Preface Contents Executive Summary Background Paper   I. Incidence, mortality, and impact on society II. Skin cancer III. Contributing and causative factors IV. Prevention V. Cancer prevention and information services that impact the skin cancer problem VI. Barriers to early detection and treatment of skin cancer in Texas VII. Policy initiatives that would affect skin cancer awareness and prevention VIII. Professional practice regarding skin cancer prevention, detection, and treatment IX. Prevention and information models Action Plan   Goal I Initiate data collection and analysis Goal II Develop prevention information and services to increase public awareness Goal III Enhance professional education and practice Goal IV Improve access to prevention, detection, and treatment Bibliography Appendix   i. Melanoma of the Skin Incidence and Mortality Rates, 1988-1992 ii. Five-Year Relative Survival Rates, by Site 1986-1992 iii. Average Years of Live Lost per Person Dying of Cancer, 1993 iv. Demographic Characteristics of Patients Diagnosed with Malignant Melanoma of the Skin v. Counties Reporting Health Care Availability as an Issue vi. Federally Designated Medically Underserved Areas vii. Additional Texas Cancer Council Initiatives
		At least half of all new cancers in Texas are skin cancers. In spite of excellent resources in the state, there exists a great variation in knowledge and practice relating to skin cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. Only when information, detection, and treatment are accessible to all Texans will the incidence, mortality, and impact on society be reduced. An effective Action Plan on Skin Cancer for the State of Texas will address these problems in a manner that takes into account the demographic diversity of its people, and the urgency of making skin cancer awareness and prevention a part of daily life.
		Goal I:
		Initiate data collection and analysis
		The first issue this action plan must address is data collection for the incidence of the two most common skin cancers in Texas: basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Currently these two cancers are not reported to the Texas Cancer Registry (TCR). Incidence data would substantiate the prevalence of basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma in Texas and reinforce the need to develop resources to address the prevention of these two skin cancers. Information on malignant melanoma incidence and mortality is currently available from the TCR, and should be included in the presentation of data on skin cancer in Texas.
		Goal II:
		Develop prevention information and services to increase public awareness
		Skin cancer prevention information and services must be effectively developed and disseminated to the public through the joint efforts of coalition partners who represent: institutions that have the information; health care practitioners in the public and private arena, who can put skin cancer prevention and detection into practice; volunteer agencies that have community networks; and agencies and corporations that may supply funding and resources for prevention, early detection, and public education.
		Goal III:
		Enhance professional education and practice
		Timely prevention, detection, and appropriate treatment of skin cancer must become part of the knowledge and skills of health care practitioners through curriculum development and continuing education programs. This educational process should be accomplished through new curriculum development for those professionals in training as well as continuing education programs for graduate practitioners in the field.
		Goal IV:
		Improve access to prevention, detection, and treatment
		Every Texan should have access to information on skin cancer risk factors and prevention combined with screening, detection, and treatment services that overcome physical distance and fiscal constraints. Strategies must be developed to ensure all Texans access to adequate facilites and knowledgeable health care practitioners.