Health science majors aim to increase skin cancer education

Two senior health science students are leading a new project to help students learn more about skin cancer and how to prevent it.

Senior health science majors Sam Sanguinette and Jake Gutzman created Bulldogs Against Skin Cancer for their senior capstone class. The goal is to lower skin cancer risk by teaching students better habits.

As part of the project, they made a survey to learn what students already know and what they do to protect their skin. Early results show that many students understand the basics of skin cancer, but do not always take steps to prevent it.

“We want to know what students actually need to learn,” Sanguinette said. “That way we can focus on real behaviors.”

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. The students said this is one reason they chose the topic.

Sanguinette and Gutzman also said tanning habits are changing. Fewer students are using tanning beds, but many still spend time lying in the sun.

“People aren’t really using tanning beds much,” Gutzman said. “But they are still going outside to tan.”

The project is part of a class where students must create and carry out a health program. At the same time, they are also studying for a national exam called the Certified Health Education Specialist test.

The students said the project can be hard to manage with their other classes, but it gives them real experience.

“It’s a lot of work, but we finally get to use what we’ve learned,” Sanguinette said.

They will present their survey results at the Student Research Conference later this semester.

Sanguinette and Gutzman also said one simple habit many people skip is checking their own skin. They recommend doing a skin check once a month and watching for changes in moles or spots.

The project will continue through the rest of the semester as they collect more data and share more information with students.

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Students develop skin cancer prevention program through capstone course

Senior health science majors Sam Sanguinette and Jake Gutzman are leading a campus project focused on skin cancer prevention.

The project, Bulldogs Against Skin Cancer, is part of their senior capstone course in health science, taught by Associate Professor of Health Science Nancy Daley-Moore. The course requires students to design and implement a health program.

Sanguinette and Gutzman created a survey to measure students’ knowledge, attitudes and behaviors related to skin cancer prevention. Early results show many students correctly identify basic information about skin cancer but report fewer consistent preventive behaviors.

“We want to know what students actually need to learn so we can focus on real behaviors,” Sanguinette said.

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. According to 

Survey responses also indicate differences in tanning habits. Use of tanning beds was reported less frequently, while spending time outdoors to tan remained common.

“People aren’t really using tanning beds much, but they are still going outside to tan,” Gutzman said.

The students are also preparing for the Certified Health Education Specialist exam, a national certification for health education professionals.

“It’s a lot of work, but we finally get to use what we’ve learned,” Sanguinette said.

Sanguinette plans to present survey findings at the Student Research Conference later this semester.

The project includes outreach on preventive practices such as monthly skin self-examinations. Students are encouraged to monitor moles or spots using the “ABCDE**” guideline.

The project will continue through the semester as additional data is collected and shared.