Sun Survey Results Released

Young people in Atlantic Canada are putting their health at risk by spending too much time in the sun without adequate protection, according to a national sun survey released today, July 10.

The survey findings show that 78 per cent of 16- to 24-year-olds and 46 per cent of 25- to 44-year-olds spend unprotected time in the sun. As well, children between the ages of six and 12 spend more time in the sun than adults and are less likely to practice sun safety.

"This information is very concerning since Atlantic Canada has among the highest incidence of skin cancer in Canada," said Dr. Steven Morris, chair of Cancer Care Nova Scotia's Melanoma Cancer Site Team. "In Nova Scotia, over 2,000 people will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer this year.

"Parents are protecting young children, but the survey suggests older children and young adults are still not fully aware of the danger of sun exposure, burns and tanning beds. It is important to reinforce the message that sunburns, extended sun exposure and tanning beds are all hazardous risk factors which can cause skin cancer," he said.

Other highlights from the survey related to sunburns, active tanning behaviour and artificial tanning.

In 2006, 19 per cent of Atlantic Canadians got at least one sunburn. Sunburns are most common among younger adults, with burns reported by:

• 38 per cent of 16- to 24-year-olds
• 24 per cent of 25- to 44-year olds
• 14 per cent of 45- to 64-year-olds

Fifty-three per cent of sunburns in Atlantic Canada in 2006 happened during recreational activities. Twenty per cent occurred on summer vacation. Twenty-nine percent of outdoor workers got at least one sunburn during the summer.

Twenty-one per cent of Atlantic Canadian adults tried to get a suntan in 2006. Men and women were equally likely to try to get a tan.

Eleven per cent of Atlantic Canadian adults used artificial tanning equipment, such as tanning beds. Women chose artificial tanning more than men. This method is most prevalent among younger adults and its use declines with age:

• 23 per cent of 16- to 24-year-olds
• 15 per cent of 25- to 44-year olds
• seven per cent of 45- to 64-year-olds

"The sun survey findings for young people are of significant concern," said Sarah MacDonald, health promotion co-ordinator for the Nova Scotia division of the Canadian Cancer Society. "Overexposure to harmful ultraviolet radiation from sunlight and tanning equipment puts people at increased risk for skin cancer now, as well as in the future.

"The Canadian Cancer Society urges everyone, especially young people, to protect themselves in the sun and avoid using tanning equipment. No tan is a safe tan," she said.

Sun Safe Nova Scotia, a coalition of organizations led by Cancer Care Nova Scotia, promotes sun safety.

"Through Sun Safe Nova Scotia, we have made great progress in the development and adoption of sun safety policies, particularly in the area of municipal sports and recreation programs," said Theresa Marie Underhill, chief operating officer of Cancer Care Nova Scotia. "The survey lets us know that there is much more to be done.

"The findings provide us with valuable information about current sun safety behaviours that will help guide our future work. It will also serve as a baseline from which we can measure effectiveness of programs and strategies to determine if we are making a difference," she said.

Developed with support from the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer and funding from the Canadian Cancer Society, the survey was conducted between August and November 2006. Seven thousand Canadians ages 16 and older were interviewed about their time in the sun, tanning and sunburns, how they protect themselves from overexposure, and their knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about tanning, sun exposure and sun protection. Parents with children ages one to 12 were also asked about time in the sun, sun protection and sunburns for their children.

The study's findings are available on the Canadian Cancer Society website at www.cancer.ca . Results for Atlantic Canada and statistics on skin cancer are on the Cancer Care Nova Scotia's website at www.cancercare.ns.ca .