Skin cancer rates on the rise

[projekktor id=’13191′]

We’ve just come through months and months of cold, gloomy, grey skies, and finally we’re beginning to see some sun, here in Canada.

And that’s the bad news. At least this year it is, because the sun will be responsible for nearly 1500 deaths in the country, according to the Canadian Cancer Society.

Skin cancer will strike more Canadians this year than lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancer combined.

Nearly 1500 people will die this year from various types of skin cancer. Most of them will be over 35, as risk increases with age.

The good news is that if caught early 85% of men, and 92% of women will survive. And better yet skin cancer is almost completely preventable.

“Avoiding the sun during peak hours in the day, 11 to 4pm. Seeking shade, putting on sunscreen throughout the day. I could be something as simple as wearing a wide rim hat,” says John Atkinson of the Canadian Cancer Society.

And yet skin cancer numbers continue to rise. The question is, why?

“People have been spending more time in the sun, however they haven’t been protecting themselves with some of those sun safe behaviours,” says Atkinson.

And tanning beds can be one of the biggest risks you can take.

“The World Health Organization has said it, they are a known cause of cancer. If someone uses a tanning bed before the age of 35, they have almost a 60% greater chance of getting skin cancer.”

And the risks are greater for men than women. If you should find an unusual mole or discoloration on your skin, check with your doctor immediately. Especially if it has irregular borders, or seems to be spreading.

And remember: use sunscreen faithfully, seek shade when possible, and wear a hat. It could save your life.