What is skin cancer?
Skin cancer affects over 80,000 Canadians each year, with more than 5,000 cases being malignant melanoma—the most dangerous form of skin cancer. It occurs when skin cells begin to grow abnormally, most often due to damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Skin cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, but the good news is that it's highly preventable and treatable when detected early.
Skin cancer can appear anywhere on the body—even in areas not typically exposed to the sun, like the soles of the feet.
More than 90% of skin cancers are caused by UV exposure, primarily from the sun but also from artificial sources like tanning beds. Other risk factors include fair skin, a family history of skin cancer, and a high number of moles.
UV radiation damages the DNA in skin cells, leading to uncontrolled cell growth. Instead of dying off, these damaged cells continue to multiply and can spread to surrounding tissues. Repeated exposure to UV rays significantly increases your risk of developing skin cancer.
The World Health Organization classifies tanning beds in the highest cancer risk category, alongside substances like tobacco. In fact, using tanning beds before the age of 30 increases your risk of developing melanoma by 75%.
Click HERE to learn how you can prevent skin cancer.