he most worrisome of all skin cancers, melanoma has escalated and one in 7 people risk a non-melanoma skin cancer during their lifetime. According to recent statistics, the 7th most common cancer in Canada will account for 5,600 new cases of melanoma this year, impacting 3,100 men and 2,500 women.

The lifetime risk of melanoma is higher in males than females, but the opposite is true in young adults and adolescents. Recent numbers show a melanoma increase of 8X among young women and 4X among young men. One of the biggest culprits for rising cancer rates in women in their 20s and 30s is using indoor tanning beds.

Permanent UVA and UVB damage
UVB rays make up 7% of sunlight rays, penetrate the top layers of the skin and are responsible for most sunburn. UVA penetrates deeper into skin, and constitutes 93% of sunlight rays. Tanning lamps emit both UVA and UVB radiation, and release two to five times more UVA than natural sunlight.

Due to ozone depletion, there has been at least a 7% increase in UVB reaching Canada over the past 20 years: a 1% decrease in ozone results in a 2% rise
in cases of skin cancer.

To beat the odds, never use a tanning bed. Avoid the harshest sun rays between 10am and 3pm. H&L



Dr. Marla Shapiro
MDCM, CCFP, MHSc, FRCP(C), FCFP, NCMP, 
is an Associate Professor, University of Toronto, Department of Family and Community Medicine; NAMS Credentialed Menopause Practitioner; CTV’s Medical Consultant on CanadaAM.