Cases of melanoma climb in connection with the falling use of sunscreen in Canada

Despite the decades of public health messages, Canadians spend more time in the sun and use less sunscreen – raising alarms among researchers when the cases of melanoma still grow.

This trend was emphasized in a study directed by McGill University, in which national data from survey collected in the years 2011–2018 from over 77,000 people was analyzed, which is a weighted attempt at 21 million Canadians.

Scientists have found that 75 percent of the Canadians adults reported to spend at least 30 minutes in the sun on summer days, and almost half remained for two hours or longer. Most reported irregular or lack of use of sunscreen. One in three Canadians experienced sunburn last year.

Young adults were much more likely to burn sunbathing and the use of sunbathers than older adults, and also wear protective clothing.

This growing exposure to the sun and reduction of protection is very disturbing. Episodic sunburn, especially in childhood or puberty, significantly increase the risk melanoma Later in life. “

Dr. Ivan Litvinov, senior author of studies and professor of dermatology at McGill

Litvinov points to the standards of cultural beauty, a sense of invincibility among young people and potential barriers to sun protection costs as key factors that drive these behaviors.

Czerniak – the most dangerous form of skin cancer – increased about 17 percent in 2024 in the previous year, from about 11,000 new cases diagnosed throughout the country. Other forms of skin cancer are also becoming more and more common.