Decline in Sun Safety in Canada Raises Concerns Amid Increasing Skin Cancer Rates

Despite longstanding public health campaigns promoting sun protection, recent research indicates that Canadians are spending more time in the sun while using less protective measures, leading to rising skin cancer cases. A comprehensive study led by McGill University analyzed survey data from over 77,000 individuals collected between 2011 and 2018, representing approximately 21 million Canadians. The findings reveal that about 75% of adults report spending at least half an hour in the sun during summer days, with nearly 50% staying outdoors for two hours or longer. Alarmingly, most participants seldom or inconsistently applied sunscreen, and one in three experienced sunburns annually.

Younger adults are particularly vulnerable, with higher incidences of sunburns and a greater tendency to sunbathe or use tanning beds. They also tend to wear less protective clothing compared to older populations. These behaviors are concerning because episodic sunburns, especially during childhood or adolescence, significantly increase the risk of developing melanoma later in life.

Experts, including Dr. Ivan Litvinov of McGill University, attribute the decline in sun protection to cultural beauty standards, a sense of invincibility among youth, and potential cost barriers preventing access to sun safety products. The situation is worsening, as melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, saw an estimated 17% increase in cases in 2024, with approximately 11,000 new diagnoses across Canada. Other skin cancer types are also becoming more common.

Addressing this trend requires renewed efforts to educate the public about the importance of sun safety and the risks associated with excessive sun exposure. Enhancing awareness and making protective measures more accessible could help curb the rising tide of skin cancers in Canada.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-sun-safety-declining-canada-skin.html