Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in Canada, and melanoma skin cancer – the most deadly form of skin cancer - is one of the most common forms of cancer for people between the ages of 15 and 29. The good news is it's also the most preventable.
Over-exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from both the sun and indoor tanning equipment is the major cause of skin cancer. Using indoor tanning equipment before the age of 35 has been found to increase the risk of melanoma by 75 per cent.1 And, the UVR emissions of indoor tanning equipment can be up to 5 times the intensity of the mid-day sun.2
In BC, 850 new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed and 130 will die from skin cancer.3
Despite 10 years of 'sun safety' messages, Canadians' sun protective behaviours have not changed. Telling people to seek shade, wear sun protective clothing, apply sunscreen, and avoid tanning salons has not worked. 27% of young women (ages 16-24) use tanning equipment.4 Students tell us that they are aware of the dangers of tanning, yet they still do it.
Tanning salon bans for youth are in place in the Capital Regional District of Vancouver Island, the province of Nova Scotia, the US State of Maryland, and the Countries of Australia, Brazil, England, France, and Scotland.
Organizations which support this research and our position include the Canadian Dermatology Association, Canadian Medical Association, BC Cancer Agency, BC Centre for Disease Control, BC Health Authorities, Medical Health Officers Council of BC, and the Public Health Association of British Columbia.
The Action Required:
The Canadian Cancer Society is calling on the BC government to implement legislation banning those under the age of 18 from using artificial tanning equipment.
Province-wide legislation is necessary because:
- all British Columbia children should be protected from this known carcinogen
- indoor tanning is especially harmful to young people
- public education alone is not working
- voluntary guidelines are not working
- parental consent does not work