Teaching children about skin cancer prevention: why wait for adolescence?

Abstract: The baseline knowledge about skin cancer prevention of 983 children aged 8 to 12 years was assessed by a pretest questionnaire. After the pretest, half were given a formal presentation about skin cancer prevention. The other half participated in an informal, question–and–answer session, which covered all material from the formal presentation. Two weeks later, all students completed an identical post–test. The students had a high baseline level of knowledge about skin cancer prevention. Knowledge increased for most items in the post–test questionnaire. In all age groups there was no difference in results between the formal and interactive teaching sessions, except among eight–year–olds, for whom the formal presentation was more effective. As much solar skin damage occurs before adolescence, the younger age group is the important target for skin cancer prevention programs. (Aust N Z J Public Health 1997; 21: 602–5)