Skin cancer effects over 80,000 Canadians each year, with over 5000 of those cases being Malignant Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Skin cancer is referred to as any form of cancer that starts in the skin. It can affect any part of the body covered in skin – even the soles of your feet! Over 90% of skin cancers are caused by UV exposure, but other factors like family history, skin type and the number of moles you have also contribute to your risk. 

Skin cancer develops when UV rays damage the DNA within the skin cells causing them to grow out of control. Instead of dying, those damaged abnormal cells continue to multiply and invade other tissue. Repeated exposure to UV light, whether directly from the sun or a tanning bed, increase the risk of developing skin cancer. The World Health Organization recently put tanning beds in the highest cancer risk category – the same as cigarettes! The use of tanning beds before the age of 30 increases the risk of developing Melanoma by 75%. 

Click HERE to learn how you can prevent skin cancer.