СÀ¶ÊÓƵ

СÀ¶ÊÓƵ has been recognized as a Skin Smart Campus by The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention.  Ensuring the well-being of our students, we are providing a safe and healthy learning and living environment on and off campus, pledging to keep indoor tanning devices off our campus and our affiliated buildings.  We also promote skin cancer prevention policies and education.

The Indoor Tan-Free Skin Smart Campus Initiative is sponsored by the in response to the 2014 which concluded that there is a strong association between increased risk of skin cancer and indoor tanning use.  Ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure from indoor tanning is completely avoidable which allows for interventions to help reduce skin-cancer related illness and deaths.  Numerous studies have found that skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, with melanoma as one of the most common cancers diagnosed among young adults. The use of indoor tanning facilities before the age of 35 increases the risk for melanoma by 75 percent.

Sun safety is something that has had a huge impact on my life. I have been suffering from rosacea for the past 11 years and one of the main triggers is sun exposure. It was very hard for me because even just 5 minutes in the sun without sunscreen will turn me into a tomato. Ever since I was diagnosed, I had to learn about the dangers of UVA and UVB rays and skin cancer. I became very interested in sun safety and informing/educating others that I even started my own instagram page dedicated to skin care tips as well as product recommendations for sunscreens. I also talk about learning to be okay with the skin and shade I am in. There is no need to damage your skin cells just to be a little tan. I think the Skin Smart Campus initiative at JU will help get the message across to students who may not be aware of the harmful effects not wearing sunscreen and tanning everyday has in the long run.

Risk Factors

• Light skin, or skin that burns, freckles, or reddens easily; but skin of all colors can get skin cancer
• Large number of moles
• Personal or family history of skin cancer
• History of sun exposure
• History of sunburns, especially in early life
• History of indoor tanning
  • the average tanning bed gives of 2 to 10 times more UVA radiation than the sun
  • using tanning beds before the age of 35 increases a person's risk for developing melanoma by 75%

Prevention

The majority of skin cancers are caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light and can be prevented with sun safety practices:

• Seeking shade
• Wearing sunscreen
  • Broad spectrum UVA and UVB, SPF 30 or higher
  • Reapplication is necessary every 2 hours and after swimming, sweating, or toweling off.
• Wearing protective clothing
  • Long sleeves and pants with a dense weave or built-in SPF
  • Wide-brimmed hat
  • Closed-toe shoes and socks that cover the ankle
• Wearing sunglasses

Additional Resources

• Skin Cancer Foundation:
• American Academy of Dermatology:
• Centers for Disease Control:
• David Cornfield Melanoma Fund:
• IMPACT Melanoma:
• US Food and Drug Administration:
• Melanoma Research Fund: