A new study led by McGill University has found that people in Atlantic Canada are at a higher risk for developing melanoma than their counterparts in other parts of the country.
The study provides valuable insights into the behaviors and risk factors that contribute to this disparity, offering lessons for skin cancer prevention nationwide.
Socio-Economic Status and Risk
The study revealed that individuals with higher incomes were more likely to develop melanoma due to behaviors such as frequent sunburns, tanning bed use, and recreational tanning.
Those with a university education also showed higher rates of recreational sun exposure but were less likely to use tanning beds.
Dr. Ivan Litvinov, Chair of the Dermatology Division at McGill, noted that higher socio-economic status often correlates with more vacations in sunny climates, which could be driving the higher incidence of melanoma.
Conversely, individuals with lower incomes (< CAD$50,000 annually) were found to be at risk due to occupational sun exposure. This finding could inform policy changes aimed at better protecting outdoor workers.
Gender Differences
The study found that men are generally more skeptical of using sunscreen and tend to have more occupational and recreational sun exposure, leading to higher rates of melanoma.
Women, although less exposed to the sun, were found to frequent tanning beds more and were less likely to wear long-sleeved shirts, contributing to melanoma risk in extremities.
Regional Variations
Residents of PEI and Nova Scotia showed the highest incidence of melanoma.
Despite having more knowledge about sun protection, these communities also reported more sunburns and sun exposure compared to regions like Newfoundland and Labrador.
Policy Implications and Recommendations
Dr. Litvinov suggests that targeted public health efforts are essential. “Messages about sun protection should differ when you’re talking to a single young man versus a mother of three children,” he says.
Moreover, the study highlights the increasing financial burden of skin cancer on the Canadian healthcare system, which is expected to reach one billion dollars annually by 2030.
The researchers recommend that Canada should consider removing sales tax on sunscreen, as many countries have done, to promote its use.
Conclusions
This study offers a comprehensive look into the various factors contributing to the rising rates of melanoma in Canada.
It provides valuable information that could help tailor public health initiatives, improve occupational health policies, and guide fiscal measures to promote sun protection and, consequently, lower melanoma risk.
If you care about skin health, please read studies about the top signs of diabetic skin disease, and the Mediterranean diet could help lower the skin cancer risk.
For more information about skin health, please see recent studies about eating fish linked to a higher risk of skin cancer, and results showing how to combat the effects of aging on your skin.
The study was published in Cancers.
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