Last Updated: October 2023

Author: Comprehensive Cancer Control Program, Vermont Department of Health

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. and Vermont. Melanoma is the least common, but most serious, form of skin cancer. The state of Vermont has the second-highest incidence rate of melanoma in the United States.  Most cases of skin cancer, including melanoma, are associated with exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Sunburns, especially during childhood, significantly increase an individual’s melanoma risk. An intermittent pattern of sun exposure over many years and having at least one severe, blistering sunburn significantly increases melanoma risk.

According to the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), 73% of Vermont high school students, and 66% of Vermont middle school students, reported having had at least one sunburn in the past year. Sixty percent of high schoolers, and over 50% of middle schoolers had two or more sunburns. 

By increasing sun safety behaviors and reducing the rate of sunburn among Vermonters, the rate of invasive melanoma of the skin will ultimately decrease

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. and Vermont. Melanoma is the least common, but most serious, form of skin cancer. The state of Vermont one of the highest incidence rates of melanoma in the United States.  Most cases of skin cancer, including melanoma, are associated with exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Sunburns, especially during childhood, significantly increase an individual’s melanoma risk. An intermittent pattern of sun exposure over many years and having at least one severe, blistering sunburn significantly increases melanoma risk.

By increasing sun safety behaviors and reducing the rate of sunburn among Vermonters, the rate of invasive melanoma of the skin will ultimately decrease.

Vermonters Taking Action Against Cancer (VTAAC)

American Cancer Society

Vermont Dermatologists

IMPACT Melanoma

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Vermont State Parks

Intervention strategies to reduce skin cancer are focused on reducing sun exposure, improving knowledge and attitudes about sun protection among children and adults, and changing policies to create sun-safe environments. Interventions to prevent sunburn must include increased use of sunscreen and other effective methods such as seeking shade, avoiding peak UV exposure, and wearing long sleeves.

The following evidence-based strategies are recommended by the Community Guide (the Community Preventive Services Task Force of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) to measurably impact population-level skin cancer prevention:

• Education and policy approaches in primary school settings. Younger children are more willing than adolescents to practice self-protective behaviors and are more receptive to instruction by adults. Skin cancer prevention interventions in primary school settings encourage children in kindergarten through eighth grade to protect themselves from the sun.
• Education and policy approaches in outdoor recreation settings. Interventions in recreational or tourist settings can increase the percentage of adults who cover up while in the sun.
• Multicomponent community-wide interventions. Combining individual-focused strategies, mass media campaigns, and environmental and policy changes can influence UV-protective behaviors when implemented in a specific geographic area.

By increasing the rate of sun safety behaviors in Vermont, the rate of invasive melanoma of the skin will ultimately decrease. Through a coordinated effort between the Vermont CCC Program, the VTAAC Skin Cancer Prevention Taskforce, Vermont State Parks, local communities, and IMPACT Melanoma, sunscreen dispensers are being placed in public parks and recreational facilities to support sun prevention behaviors. Training, promotion and awareness building, and other programming is also being offered to increase the use and impact of this sun safety initiative.

Sunscreen dispensers have been placed in over 20 Vermont State Parks and in several municipal parks, recreational facilities and ski areas. In summer 2023, VTAAC and the VT CCC Program continued efforts to place an additional 12 dispensers at local parks and recreation facilities across Vermont. This work will be continued in 2024 and beyond to expand the access to sunscreen and sun safety education/opportunities.