Current action for skin cancer risk reduction in English schools: A report on a survey carried out for the Department of Health

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify current action for skin cancer risk reduction in English schools and thus set a baseline for future skin cancer risk reduction interventions. A postal questionnaire survey was sent to 1295 primary, 59 middle and 216 secondary school headteachers, a 10% sample of schools in England in 1998. Since the Health Education Authority/Department of Health/British Association of Dermatologists introduced the Sun Awareness Guidelines for Schools in 1995, seven items from the Guidelines, i.e. education, uniform, shade, outdoor activities, sunscreens, staff awareness, and parent and governor alliances were chosen as outcome measures. The results of the survey showed that most schools had taken at least one of the seven actions (mean 2.67, SD 0.88). Of the schools which addressed sun protection, the majority started to do so after the release of the Sun Awareness Guidelines in 1995. Judging from the length of time schools had been covering sun awareness issues, the proportion of schools which were just beginning to implement sun protection in 1995 was greater than those who began in the previous year. Teaching in the curriculum was the most frequent action taken, but the approach used was usually information giving. Brimmed hats and long sleeves were rarely part of summer school wear. Most schools had less than 25% of their outdoor break areas in shade, but action was being taken to increase this. Sports days were usually scheduled for the afternoon. Sunscreen use was allowed in over 80% of schools, but its application presented teachers with a dilemma. Few staff manuals contained sun awareness issues; few staff had attended in-service courses on the subject; two-thirds of headteachers would support their staff attending them. Few schools had developed parent and governor alliances. We conclude that help is needed for schools in the form of materials, courses, funds and clear Government policy if their action is to play a major role in reducing the incidence of skin cancer.