Canadians don't practise sun safety but they know they should
CMAJ 1997;157:10
© 1997 Canadian Medical Association
Half of all Canadians do not adequately protect themselves from exposure to the sun even though they know they should be careful, a recent survey has determined. Researchers say the lack of safety precautions was both unexpected and troubling given that more than 80% of Canadians admitted they know when and how to protect themselves from sunburn.
"This survey points to the fact that skin cancer, which is already reaching epidemic proportions and costs millions of dollars a year to treat, will continue to increase unless more people take care when out in the sun," said Dr. Jason Rivers, national director of the Canadian Dermatology Association's (CDA) sun-awareness program and coprincipal investigator of the national study. The principal sponsors were the CDA, Environment Canada and the National Cancer Institute of Canada.
About 64 000 Canadians will get skin cancer this year, reflecting a doubling in the rate over the past 15 years. About 3000 will get melanoma, which like most skin cancers is preventable if reasonable precautions are taken. So why aren't Canadians being more cautious?
Dr. Chris Lovato, associate professor at the University of British Columbia's Institute of Health Promotion Research and Rivers' coprincipal investigator, said 64% don't do it because they forget and 47% feel it is too inconvenient. Other reasons are wanting a tan (38%), lack of concern about sun damage (29%) and being unprepared (12%).
The survey of more than 4000 Canadians was released in June during National Sun Awareness Week, the theme of which was outdoor workers' increased risk of skin cancer. Among the findings:
- 53% reported having 1 or more sunburns between June and August 1996;
- 48% of Canadians never or rarely use sunscreen;
- 48% are sunburned when participating in outdoor recreation activities.
Physicians should advise patients to avoid the sun between 11 am and 4 pm, seek shade, wear a hat and protective clothing, and use sunglasses and sunscreen.
At the University of Western Ontario, where the medical school curriculum has put new emphasis on community outreach, medical students are taking the safe-sun message to Grade 4 students to teach them the importance of developing a lifelong habit of protecting themselves from sun-related damage. This year students operated pilot projects at 3 local schools; it will be expanded to all elementary schools in London in 1998.
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