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The Elementary students and staff will be invited to participate in Fit Fridays which includes a group walk to school starting at 7:30 am and healthy snacks once they arrive at the school or later in the day.
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month 
One in five Americans develop skin cancer in their lifetime. More than 1 million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed this year, including over 100,000 cases of melanoma which is the most dangerous. One American dies of melanoma almost every hour. In Kansas, more than 500 cases of melanoma are diagnosed each year, with nearly 100 deaths due to the disease annually. To prevent skin cancer, seek shade especially during midday hours, wear protective clothing, hat and sunglasses, and use sunscreen. Unusual changes in the skin indicate the need to see a doctor or dermatologist as soon as possible.
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
Risk Factors:
People with certain risk factors are more likely to develop skin cancer. Risk factors vary for different types of skin
cancer, but some general risk factors are having:
¤ Lighter natural skin color
¤ Family history of skin cancer
¤ Personal history of skin cancer
¤ Exposure to the sun through work and play
¤ History of sunburns early in life
¤ Skin that burns, freckles, reddens easily or becomes painful in the sun
¤ Blue or green eyes
¤ Blond or red hair
¤ Certain types and a large number of moles
Risk Reduction:
The best way to prevent skin cancer is to protect oneself from the sun. When used consistently, sun-
protective practices can reduce a person?s risk of developing skin cancer. An estimated 65 – 90% of
melanomas are caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light or sunlight and could be prevented if
children, adolescents, and adults were protected from UV radiation. This includes avoiding use of
tanning beds/sunlamps.
CDC recommends these easy options for sun protection:
¤ Seek shade, especially during midday hours (10 A.M. to 4 P.M.) when UV rays are strongest and most damaging.
¤ Cover up with clothing to protect exposed skin.
¤ Wear a hat with a wide brim to shade the face, head, ears, and neck.
¤ Wear sunglasses that block 100% of both UVA and UVB rays.
¤ Use sunscreen with sun protective factor (SPF) 15 or higher and both UVA and UVB protection.
ABCD?s of Melanoma:
The ABCD rule can help you remember the symptoms of melanoma:
Asymmetry - one half is different than the other half.
Border - edges are notched, uneven, or blurred.
Color is uneven. Shades of brown, tan, and black are present.
Diameter is greater than 6 mm
Changes in the size, color, shape or texture of a mole, the development of a new mole, or any other unusual changes
in the skin indicate the need to see a doctor or dermatologist as soon as possible.
Kansas Coordinated School Health
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
