Skin Cancer Prevention:

Indoor Tanning

Presentation prepared by: Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division,

Public Affairs, PreventionJune 2012 v10

How we’re fighting cancer

• doing everything we can to prevent cancer

• funding research to outsmart cancer

• empowering, informing and supporting Canadians living with cancer

• advocating for public policies to improve the health of Canadians

• rallying Canadians to get involved in the fight against cancer

Outline• Who uses indoor tanning equipment?

• What are the risks?

• Why do people go to tanning salons?

• Influencing Decisions

Who uses indoor tanning equipment?

1 in 4 women aged 16 – 24 use tanning equipment*

Indoor Tanning

*(Insight on Cancer: Sun Exposure and Protective Behaviours in Ontario, November 2010 v 8)

Is indoor tanning healthy?

• Indoor tanning equipment emits ultraviolet (UV) rays just like the sun.

• UV rays can be up to 5 times more times more powerful than the mid-day sun.

• Damage from UV radiation builds up over time. Youth are at great risk.

• Indoor tanning causes cancer.*

Indoor Tanning

* (International Agency for Research on Cancer, The Lancet, Volume 10, August 2009)

Melanoma Skin Cancer

• one of the most common cancers in young people aged 15 – 29 in Canada*

• Melanoma – most fatal form of skin cancer

• can be treated if diagnosed early

Indoor Tanning

*Canadian Cancer Statistics 2009

What is the risk of developing melanoma?

• 75% increased risk with exposure before 35 years of age*

* (International Agency for Research on Cancer, The International Journal of Cancer: 120, 1116 – 1122 2006)

Indoor Tanning

Why do people use indoor tanning equipment?

• To tan without burning - 79%

• To relax or feel better - 78%

• To look better - 78%

• Vitamin D - 44%

Indoor Tanning

(Source: Insight on Cancer: Sun Exposure and Protective Behaviours in Ontario November 2010, v 8)

True or False

A base tan protects you from the sun. (true/false)

A base tan protects you from the sun. (true/false)

FALSE - A tan from artificial or natural sources will not protect you against skin cancer.

A tan is a sign of injury to the skin. Damage cumulates over time and cause skin cancer and wrinkling.

What you see…

Do you need to tan indoors to get a healthy dose of vitamin D?

(true/false)

Do you need to tan indoors to get a healthy dose of vitamin D?

(true/false)

FALSE - Because indoor tanning equipment emits harmful ultraviolet radiation, it is a dangerous methods of obtaining vitamin D.

A few minutes a day of unprotected sun exposure is usually all that is needed for the average person to get enough Vitamin D.

It can also be obtained through food rich with Vitamin D or through vitamin supplements.

What you see…

A tan makes me look healthier. (true/false)

A tan makes me look healthier. (true/false)

FALSE - You might think you look better but a tan is evidence of skin damage. If you have to tan, try a sunless tanning cream. Just remember that when you are using this type of product that you still need to apply your sunscreen (SPF15 or higher).

What you see…

UVR damage to the skin is only temporary. By resting your skin between UVR exposures, the damage is erased. (true/false)

UVR damage to the skin is only temporary. By resting your skin between UVR exposures, the damage is erased. (true/false)

False - Acute effects of a sunburn do go away, a tan does fade, but UVR damage (i.e. to the DNA in skin cells) remains and cumulates over time.

Relaying the real story

Indoor Tanning

Indoor Tanning Legislation

• Toronto tanning facilities in Toronto do not follow Health Canada voluntary guidelines (2007 study).

• The Society calls on the Ontario government to prohibit youth under the age of 18 from using indoor tanning equipment.

• E-mail your MPP to advocate for legislative change.

Save Our Skin (SOS) Indoor Tanning Campaign

Early detection of skin cancer

Know the skin you are in!

• Check regularly for changes

• See your doctor if you notice:

o birthmark or mole that changes shape, colour, size, surface

o sores that do not healo new growths on skin o patches of skin that bleed

THANK YOU!

• Questions

• Comments

For the most up-to-date information:

• visit www.cancer.ca

• call the Canadian Cancer Society Cancer Information Service at 1 888 939-3333

Thank you!Presentation prepared by:

Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division, Public Affairs, PreventionJune 2010