Young people are spending the most time in the sun and are least likely to be protected from overexposure to the sun, according to a national survey funded by the Canadian Cancer Society.
"These results are disheartening. Skin cancer incidence rates continue to rise in Canada, including among young adults," says Dr. Loraine Marrett, lead researcher of the survey and a senior scientist at Cancer Care Ontario. "Overexposure to harmful ultraviolet radiation found in sunlight and tanning equipment puts young people at increased risk for skin cancer now, as well as increasing their risk for cancer in later years."
Dr. Marrett, director of surveillance, Cancer Care Ontario, adds that the thinning of the protective layer of ozone around the earth means it is more important than ever that all Canadians protect themselves from overexposure to the sun.
Outdoor exposure
Among young adults aged 16 to 24, close to 50 per cent of young men and 32 per cent of young women spend at least two hours in the sun on a typical summer day. Forty-two per cent of young men and 58 per cent of young women protect themselves from overexposure to the sun, which is much lower than in older populations.
Among children aged 6 to 12, 66 per cent of males and 59 per cent of females spend at least two hours in the sun on a typical summer day. The study indicated that 74 per cent of males and 78 per cent of females are protected from overexposure to the sun — while reasonably high, this percentage is much lower than in younger children aged one to five.
Tanning
Young adults are the most likely to try and get a tan — either from the sun or by using tanning equipment.
The survey results also show that 49 per cent of young women and 28 per cent of young men actively try to get a tan from the sun, while 27 per cent of young women use tanning equipment, which is higher than use among young men or older adults.
The good news from the survey is that sun safety messages are definitely getting through to some populations. Most Canadian adults 65 and older are practising very effective sun safety and parents are doing a good job of protecting children one to five years of age.
"The survey findings will be extremely valuable in helping to target sun safety awareness to the groups who need it the most," says Heather Chappell, senior manager, Cancer Control Policy, Canadian Cancer Society. "Specifically, more needs to be done with young adults and older children."
Both Dr. Marrett and Ms Chappell acknowledge that sun exposure in moderation can have health benefits. For example, it enables people to make vitamin D, which is essential for good health.
"We caution Canadians about spending too much unprotected time in the sun to get vitamin D," says Ms Chappell. "A few minutes a day is usually enough to get sufficient levels. People over 50 years of age and those with darker skin may want to consider taking a supplement as well. We encourage people to discuss this with their health care providers."
She encourages Canadians to protect themselves from overexposure to the sun particularly between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun's rays are at their strongest or anytime of the day the UV index is three or more.
The National Sun Survey was carried out across Canada in 2006.
More than 7,000 adults, aged 16 and older, were surveyed about the amount of time they spent in the sun, tanning, and sunburns; how they protect themselves from overexposure to the sun; their knowledge, attitudes and behaviours about tanning, sun exposure, and sun protection.
About 1,400 parents with children aged one to 12, were also asked to report about time spent in the sun, sun protection and sunburns for one of their children.
The purpose of the survey is to provide health groups and policymakers with information to assist in developing effective programs to help minimize people's overexposure to ultraviolet radiation.
Information on skin cancer can be found on the Health Canada website, It's Your Health. (www.hc-sc.gc.ca ).