• What is the most common type of cancer in Canada?
• What is the most preventable type of cancer in Canada?
• What is one of the types of cancer that is on the rise in Canada?

If you answered ’skin cancer’ to all three of the above questions, you’d be correct.

But if you are like most people, you might have guessed breast, prostate or lung cancer.

In some ways, skin cancer is the Rodney Dangerfield of cancers - it gets no respect! (My apologies to all those of you who are too young to know the comedian I am referring to.)  But any cancer deserves both our respect and attention.

While most skin cancers are treatable and slow growing, the big concern is a particular type of skin cancer —melanoma. An estimated 13,750 British Columbians will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer and 750 of these will be melanoma with 125 resulting in death.

Most of us know what we need to do to avoid skin cancer, but let’s be honest. It’s summer - the weather is great - let’s have some fun in the sun! I couldn’t agree more. But some precautions just make SunSense:

• Limit the amount of sun exposure between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
• Cover up with clothing, including a hat
• Use sunscreen, but don’t rely on this as your primary method of sun protection
• Avoid tanning beds and sun lamps
• And protect your kids, especially babies.

Sun damage can be insidious and is cumulative. Sunburns in your youth make you particularly at risk for skin cancer decades later.

And if you don’t want to consider your risk of cancer, can I appeal to your sense of vanity? Do you really want to look old before your time?

Now the other side of the coin. In this country, most of us do not get sufficient ’sunshine’ vitamin D - especially in the winter. And diet alone won’t do the job.

That’s why we in the Canadian Cancer Society were among the first to urge people to consider supplementations. For most adults, 1000 international units per day is probably a good idea, and would reduce our risk of a variety of cancers (not to mention MS, osteoporosis, and other disesases). I remain perplexed as to why so many health professionals and organizations have yet to embrace this recommendation. Any ideas why? But, regardless of the reason, you as an informed consumer are welcome to explore our website and other internet sources and come to the conclusion you think best.

Information can indeed be power - feel free to empower yourself.

And do have a great summer!