The province is launching a new campaign warning of the dangers of tanning beds.
The awareness campaign is meant to show health risks associated with indoor tanning and comes following new statistics that suggest indoor tanning use is high among young Albertans.
The survey, which interviewed nearly 2,300 Albertans and was commissioned by Alberta Health Services, shows half of women in Alberta age 18-24 have used at tanning bed in their lives, and nearly a quarter of women in that age range report using artificial tanning at least once in the last year.
The survey also showed indoor tanning is popular among men in Alberta age 18-24, with almost one in three reporting they’ve used a tanning bed in their lives while 28 per cent said they used one at least once in the last year.
“There is no such thing as tanning in moderation when it comes to indoor tanning. A tan is a sign of skin damage, which can lead to skin cancer,” warns Dr. Laura McLeod, AHS medical officer of health, in a news release.
The campaign will include online ads, ads at movie theatre and in restaurants and bars. The ads will show how even a little tanning can cause significant health issues in the future.
“This survey shows that to begin decreasing the rates of melanoma, we need to similarly increase awareness of the dangers of artificial tanning,” said Dr. Paul Grundy, senior vice president and senior medical director for AHS Cancer Care.
The World Health Organization says indoor tanning beds emit artificial ultraviolet radiation, a known human carcinogen as cancer-causing as tobacco, asbestos and arsenic.
According to the Alberta Cancer Registry, 73 people died from melanoma in Alberta in 2010 and 534 people were diagnosed with the disease.
Research shows more than 10 indoor tanning sessions can double a person’s risk of developing melanoma, which is the most aggressive and deadly of all skin cancers, and the most common cancer among young adults
The information campaign can also be found online at www.thebigburn.ca
