Be Sun Smart

Raising Awareness About Skin Cancer

With support from our Steven Robinson Memorial Endowment, Community Health Alliance has been providing engaging education about skin cancer and sun-wise behavior to western Montanans since 2001 through the Be Sun Smart program.

Be Sun Smart utilizes American Cancer Society information and other evidence-based resources regarding everyday sun care and detection of skin cancer and melanoma. We engage Western Montanans in prevention education through community health and safety events, youth and caregiver presentations, Lunch & Learn seminars, and more.

Interested in working with us?

Let’s connect! Contact us today to explore opportunities.

Skin Cancer Facts

  • Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Every year, nearly 5 million people in the U.S. are treated for skin cancer at an estimated cost of $8.1 billion.
  • There are more new cases of skin cancer each year in the U.S. than the combined incidence of breast, prostate, lung, and colon cancers.
  • One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime.
  • Every hour of every day, one American dies from melanoma—nearly 10,000 people per year.
  • Melanoma is the leading cause of cancer death in women ages 25 to 30, and the second leading cause of cancer death in women ages 30 to 35.
  • Though 44th in the nation in terms of population, Montana ranks 12th among U.S. states for new melanoma diagnoses.

Protecting Your Skin from the Sun

One of the most effective ways to prevent skin cancer is to protect your skin and the skin of those you love and care for from the sun’s ultra-violet (UV) rays. Before going outside, take steps to protect your skin:

  • SLIP on a long-sleeved shirt
  • SLOP on sunscreen SPF 30+
  • SLAP on a wide-brimmed hat
  • WRAP eyes with UV-rated sunglasses

*Slip! Slop! Slap! And Wrap is the American Cancer Society’s skin cancer prevention awareness campaign.

Monitoring Your Skin for Signs of Melanoma

When it comes to skin cancer, early detection is key – especially for melanoma, one of the deadliest types of skin cancer. Skin cancer is very treatable when it is caught early, so it is important to monitor your skin for changes.

Be on the lookout for melanoma by learning the ABCDEs for keeping an eye on moles, freckles and birthmarks.

  • A is for Asymmetry: One half does not match the other.
  • B is for Border: Edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred.
  • C is for Color: The color is not the same all over.
  • D is for Diameter: The size is larger than pencil-top eraser.
  • E is for Evolving: It is changing in size, shape, or color.

If you notice a change in your skin, you may want to consult your doctor or a dermatologist.

Steven Robinson Memorial Endowment

A Legacy of Awareness and Prevention

The Steven Robinson Memorial Endowment honors a son, brother, and friend who lost his life to melanoma in 2000 at the age of 35. His cancer was diagnosed too late, and his family promised Steven that others would not be caught unaware.

Through the Community Health Alliance, his family established this endowment to provide sun-safety education and melanoma awareness across western Montana. Since then, the program has reached thousands with resources to help protect and monitor their skin—carrying forward Steven’s wish to save lives through prevention.

“Our family believes that an endowment that stresses prevention and generates awareness about the signs and early detection of melanoma is the best way to honor Steven’s memory and his wish that others not die needlessly from this cancer.”

Betty Robinson, Steven’s mother