Carroll County — which has the second highest rate of skin cancer in the state — is ramping up education campaigns and focusing on earlier outreach to cut the growing Melanoma rates.

According to The Carroll County Times:

And according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control — years 2009-2013 — Carroll County has the second-highest rate of Melanoma in Maryland, just behind Worcester County on the Eastern Shore.

Melanoma is the worst of three types of possible skin cancer, according to the NIH. Squamous cell and basal cell skin cancers usually respond to treatment and rarely spread. But melanoma is more aggressive, according to the NIH.

…

The county has been focusing on a number of programs to help reduce these rates, especially in kids.

Wack said there are two key programs in partnership with Carroll Hospital and the health department.

“What we’re working on is sun exposure,” Wack said.

The first program — Fun in the Sun — included working with local community swimming pools to put up displays about skin cancer and melanoma, she said. They also had times when they gave out free sunscreen.

The second program — Safer in the Shade — included planting trees, especially in areas where children gather. They planted trees near playgrounds, hiking trails and high school sports fields, Wack said.

To learn more read The Carroll County Times.