As a volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society I also wanted to touch upon some of the comments brought up below.
1.‘Adults don't always make the most informed decisions either- shouldn't everyone be banned from tanning salons then?’
Removing tanning beds from our society would be an ideal but not very realistic way to reduce rates of skin cancer in Canada. We know is that any amount of tanning before the age of 35 increases your risk for the deadliest form of skin cancer by 75%; thus an effective and realistic step in reducing the impact of skin cancer is to ban the use of tanning beds for those under the age of 18.
2.‘You seem to feel that every adolescent nationwide [goes overboard]’
No amount of tanning is safe at any age. Statistics show that skin cancer is a very real issue for young people today. Melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, is actually one of the most common forms of cancer for people between the ages of 15 and 29.
3.‘What if you have a light skin type and are planning a trip to a tropical place? Wouldn't it be better to gradually tan at home before?’
Getting a ‘base tan’ before going somewhere tropical is a common misconception. This type of tanning provides you with around an SPF of 2-4 and does not protect you from the sun. The best way to protect yourself from the sun is to use sunscreen, cover up and seek shade.
4.Regarding Vitamin D; can you tell me a serving of meals that would provide enough dose of Vitamin D?
A few minutes a day of unprotected sun exposure is enough to get your daily Vitamin D. When this is not possible (for example the fall and winter months) you can take Vitamin D supplements. The CCS recommends 1,000 IU a day.
lyle - 13 years ago
I would have to say that the lack of information as to the value of uv and the sun is scary ...the power of fear is amazing...what about the thought of moderation...how realistic would it be to maybe not go outside ever for fear of the sun that sustains all life or has that changed. The fact is there is a huge business to profit behind this fear and ignorance fuels it.
I am in full support of a federal law.
As a volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society I also wanted to touch upon some of the comments brought up below.
1.‘Adults don't always make the most informed decisions either- shouldn't everyone be banned from tanning salons then?’
Removing tanning beds from our society would be an ideal but not very realistic way to reduce rates of skin cancer in Canada. We know is that any amount of tanning before the age of 35 increases your risk for the deadliest form of skin cancer by 75%; thus an effective and realistic step in reducing the impact of skin cancer is to ban the use of tanning beds for those under the age of 18.
2.‘You seem to feel that every adolescent nationwide [goes overboard]’
No amount of tanning is safe at any age. Statistics show that skin cancer is a very real issue for young people today. Melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, is actually one of the most common forms of cancer for people between the ages of 15 and 29.
3.‘What if you have a light skin type and are planning a trip to a tropical place? Wouldn't it be better to gradually tan at home before?’
Getting a ‘base tan’ before going somewhere tropical is a common misconception. This type of tanning provides you with around an SPF of 2-4 and does not protect you from the sun. The best way to protect yourself from the sun is to use sunscreen, cover up and seek shade.
4.Regarding Vitamin D; can you tell me a serving of meals that would provide enough dose of Vitamin D?
A few minutes a day of unprotected sun exposure is enough to get your daily Vitamin D. When this is not possible (for example the fall and winter months) you can take Vitamin D supplements. The CCS recommends 1,000 IU a day.
I would have to say that the lack of information as to the value of uv and the sun is scary ...the power of fear is amazing...what about the thought of moderation...how realistic would it be to maybe not go outside ever for fear of the sun that sustains all life or has that changed. The fact is there is a huge business to profit behind this fear and ignorance fuels it.