News: Melanoma skin cancer on the rise in Canada

According to a report released yesterday by the Canadian Cancer Society, Canadian Cancer Statistics 2014, melanoma skin cancer is one of the fastest rising cancers in Canada.

Although it is one of the most preventable types of cancer, Canadians are not doing as much as they used to to protect themselves.

"Two national surveys of Canadians’ sun exposure and protective behaviours conducted over the past 2 decades show that Canadians are spending more time in the sun without adequate protection," reads a report on the Canadian Cancer Society’s website.

"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," the report continued.

The good news? There are pretty simple ways to help prevent your risk. Although we all adore the look of bronzed skin and, after a long winter we’re longing for the sun, we can take precautions and have the best of both worlds.

The Canadian Cancer Society recommends some ways to protect yourself:

‘Plan outdoor activities before 11 a.m. and after 4 p.m., when the sun is not at its strongest, or any time of the day when the UV Index is 3 or less.

‘Seek shade.

‘Wear protective clothing, broad-brimmed hats and sunglasses.

‘Use sunscreen properly ‘ apply to all parts of the body that are not covered by clothing, using at least SPF 30, and re-apply every two hours.

‘Don’t use indoor tanning beds

This is probably information that we’ve all heard before, but with summer on the way, it’s a good time to re-check your habits or form better habits.

How do you protect yourself in the sun? Tell us in the comments.

-Jessica Harding, associate web editor