OLD ORCHARD BEACH, Maine — Approximately one person dies of melanoma every hour in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society.
This sobering statistic is a reason the nonprofit Impact Melanoma and students at Harvard University have been setting up education tables and free sunscreen dispensers at Wells Beach and Old Orchard Beach as part of a study.
"We’re here interviewing teenagers from Maine about their sunscreen use and their interest in using a sunscreen dispenser like the one we have on the beach," Sophia Cattalani, team lead research assistant at Harvard University said.
Preliminary results from Wells Beach showed older beachgoers appeared to be the main users of the dispensers, Cattalani told NEWS CENTER Maine. However, she said everyone is at risk of sun damage.
"It’s really important we utilize preventative care and start sun protection practices when people are young” Cattalani added.
The options can be overwhelming when it comes to choosing a sunscreen.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, beachgoers should wear sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 15. It can allow someone to stay in the sun 15 times longer than they normally would without getting burnt.
The study’s last day in Old Orchard Beach is Friday.
Cattalani said all the data collected will be sent to the CDC. The agency will then determine if it’s worth investing in having sunscreen dispensers at beaches.