June 3 , 2003 - This year in B.C., more than 500 people will be newly diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer due to sun exposure. What many people don't realize is that most of the sun damage that causes skin cancer happens before age 18.

To help parents and caregivers teach young children about the importance of being safe in the sun, the BC Cancer Agency, with the support of the BC Centre for Disease Control, is launching a skin cancer prevention campaign for preschools and day care centres.

It is critical to prevent over-exposure from UV radiation during the years when children are in preschool, as this is an age group that is very vulnerable to significant skin damage.  Caregivers at preschools and early child care centres are in an excellent position to promote skin cancer prevention by working with children and their parents.

"Malignant melanoma is a possibly life-threatening cancer that can arise from moles," explains Dr. David McLean, provincial leader of cancer prevention at the BC Cancer Agency. "Proper sunscreen use can reduce the number of new moles in children."

The kit – currently being distributed to 4,000 preschools and day care centres across British Columbia – includes coloring sheets, stickers, and a sing-along CD by singer/songwriter Norman Foote. Each element of the kit encourages kids to "slip on" clothes that cover up against the sun, "slap on" a hat, and "slop on" some sunscreen.

Using the kit is a simple, fun way to get the sun-safe message across to children, says Tricia Stephenson, supervisor at the Fair Haven Children's Centre in Burnaby.

"It's a fabulous package," says Stephenson. "Playing the CD while the kids are colouring the sheets is an effective way to get the message across. And the children will take the coloring sheets home to their parents as a reminder of the sun-safe message."

Targetting early childcare centres with a sun safe program is an important way to reduce future cancer rates, and is part of the BC Cancer Agency's overall cancer prevention strategy for B.C.

The BC Cancer Agency and the BC Centre for Disease Control are part of the Provincial Health Services Authority.  The BC Cancer Agency is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. The BC Cancer Research Centre conducts research into the causes and cures for cancer.

For more information, please call:

Pam Whitworth

BC Cancer Agency

(604) 877-6107

Note: A limited number of the "Be Sun Safe" package are available to media.

Attached are pdf files of two colouring pages for children.