With the beautiful summer weather and Sam Steele Days just around the corner, it’s time for Kootenay residents to be thinking about sun safety.

Sun awareness is a timely and important message to share and volunteers will be at Sam Steele Days at Cranbrook’s Rotary Park on Saturday, June 21 with sunscreen and a friendly reminder to limit exposure during this traditionally sunny event.

Skin cancer, including melanoma, is one of the most preventable types of cancer. The main risk factor is UV radiation from overexposure to the sun and other sources, such as indoor tanning beds. UV radiation causes about 90 per cent of melanoma cases. With about half of all cancers being preventable, the society actively engages with communities to share information on how to make healthy choices.

“Covering up with protective clothing, hats and sunglasses, properly applying sunscreen, seeking shade, and limiting sun exposure during the peak hours of 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. are simple, yet crucial steps in preventing cancer,” says Jenny Byford, Health Promotion Coordinator for the Canadian Cancer Society, Southern Interior Region. “Because the incidences of skin cancer are on the rise, we’re doing everything we can to educate Cranbrook and the Kootenay area about how they can reduce their risk.”

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Canada, with an estimated 6,500 new cases of malignant melanoma and another 76,100 cases of non-melanoma skin cancers expected to be diagnosed in 2014. Of the skin cancers, melanoma is the deadliest form, with 1,050 Canadians expected to die from it this year. In B.C. it is estimated that there will be 970 new cases of malignant melanoma and 140 British Columbians are expected to die from it this year.

Kootenay resident and Melanoma survivor Thomas Murphy shares his experience: “When we were young, our parents told us being in the sun all day without protection was fine, a tan was considered healthy. My sisters and I used to compare and compete for the worst burn. Thirty years later, after a battle with malignant melanoma and four surgeries, it’s time to change that belief. My family and I don’t leave the house without some form of UV protection and a hat. Five minutes to put on sunscreen is nothing compared to five months in hospital.”

The Canadian Cancer Society is a national, community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is to eradicate cancer and enhance the quality of life of people living with cancer. Thanks to our donors and volunteers, the society has the most impact, against the most cancers, in the most communities in Canada. Building on our progress, we are working with Canadians to change cancer forever.

For more information, visit cancer.ca or call our toll-free bilingual Cancer Information Service at 1-888-939-3333 (TTY 1-866-786-3934).

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