Here on the coast of British Columbia the arrival of September signals the end of ample summer sunlight and with it, outdoor tanning. It might be time to head indoors to tan, right? Yes and no.
If your premise is that you "must" retain that summer (gently cooked skin) tan, your only choice is to head indoors to artificial sunlight in tanning salons.
However since this is just a bad idea, the correct answer is "no." Period.
Skin cancer comes in several forms, from basal cell and squamous cancers to the most dangerous and deadly melanoma.
All forms are serious of course, but melanoma is especially bad because it can spread to the body and cause death.
This year in Canada we can expect to see about 75,000 new cases of non-melanoma cancers and 280 deaths. As the eighth most common cancer, melanoma will afflict 5,300 Canadians and kill 920.
Risk factors for skin cancer include having fair skin, being easily sunburned, age (children and youth have more delicate skin), having a lot of moles and having a family history of skin cancer.
Skin cancer is closely associated with excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. These come from the sun or from artificial sources like sunbeds.
Research suggests that about 90 per cent of melanomas are associated with severe UV exposure and sunburns over a lifetime. The positive part is that it also makes skin cancer one of the most preventable cancers.
Indoor tanning contributes to the level of UV exposure. Some of the arguments put forth to justify or explain getting an indoor tan include "getting ready for sun-drenched vacation so you won't burn," and "a good way to get vitamin D in the winter."
Unfortunately neither reason holds water.
A tan will, at best, provide the equivalent protection of a sunscreen with SPF 2-4, not nearly enough to keep safe in the sun.
As for vitamin D, supplements are easily the best way to augment the vitamin during low-sun periods. There is false benefit in promoting skin cancer for the minimal benefits of indoor-sun produced vitamin D.
There is growing evidence that exposure to UV radiation via tanning beds and sunlamps increases the risk of developing melanoma, especially if exposure begins in adolescence or young adulthood.
The desire for a year-round tan is especially popular among young women, making them most at risk for melanoma.
Looking at all cancers in the 15 to 29 age group, melanoma was the third most common cancer in young women, representing 11 per cent of new cases.
Among young Ontario residents, it was the second most common.
Preventing skin cancer begins with avoiding too much exposure to UV radiation, including from artificial sources.
Catching it early is also critical as this is one the most treatable types of cancer and early treatment leads to high success rates.
Artificial tanning is not as safe as we are led to believe. It is especially dangerous because sunbed radiation can be as much as 10 to 15 times higher than that of the midday sun.
You don't need melanoma. Good thing it is mostly avoidable. Think about it.
Dr. Paul Martiquet is the Medical Health Officer for the Sea to Sky.
