Reduce the risk of melanoma
- Wear sunscreen —Daily sunscreen use is important, even in the winter. UV rays can penetrate through clouds and be reflected off the snow, thus posing a risk even on the cloudiest winter day. Many face moisturizers contain SPF, making daily sunscreen application easy. However, it’s still important to reapply sunscreen with an SPF of 30+ every 2 hours if you’re out in the sun for a prolonged period of time. Government of Canada, 2018)
- Wear protective clothing —Protect your body with sun-protective clothing, hat, and sunglasses.
- Avoid peak rays —Seek shade during the mid-day sun, when the sun’s rays are most intense.
- Don’t use tanning beds —Indoor tanning has been shown to increase the risk of melanoma by up to 75%. Melanoma is the number one new cancer diagnosed in young adults (ages 25-29), and scientists attribute this trend to the use of tanning beds among this age group, particularly young women.
- Protect children —Just one bad sunburn in childhood or adolescence doubles a child’s chances of developing melanoma later in life.
[9] Taken from the Melanoma Research Alliance
- Tanning Bed-Tanning beds are banned for use by young adults under the age of 18 in Canada, but this may not be strict enough. Studies have shown that the use of tanning beds before the age of 35 increases melanoma risk by up to 75%. To stay safe, avoid using tanning beds at any age. [10]
[8] Giacomantonio, C.; Morris, S.; Langley, R.; Cwajna, S.; Davis, M.; Petrella, J. and Members of the Melanoma Cancer Site Team, Guidelines for the Management of Malignant Melanoma. Melanoma Cancer Site Team, Cancer Care Nova Scotia, 2013.
[9] “Prevention: How to Reduce Your Risk of Melanoma.” Melanoma Research Alliance. Melanoma Research Alliance, 2015. Web. 14 May 2015.
[10]“Guidelines for Tanning Equipment Owners, Operators and Users”. Health Canada, 2017. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/health-risks-safety/2017-guidelines-tanning-salon-owners-operators-users.html