Council Hears About Melanoma And Skin Cancers

With the sunny summer weather seemingly back for another year Council heard through how not properly protecting yourself from too much sun could lead to skin cancer.

Speaking virtually to Council, skin cancer survivor Kathy Barnard, spoke about about her personal cancer journey and the need for people to take precautions when out in the sun.

Barnard told Council she knows about cancer first hand as a cancer survivor.

She was diagnosed with melanoma, the most deadly of skin cancers, in 2003. She went on to say she never would have imagined ordinary days out in the sun could have impacted her so hard.

“By 2005 it had spread to my liver, my adrenal glands, my throat and my kidneys. And I was given six months to live,” she said, adding “I would have never have thought my days as a child at our local beaches or my days at the softball diamond would have turned so deadly.”

Barnard presented statistical information about melanoma and skin cancer.

“Skin cancer is the most common cancer of all cancers. One in six Canadians born in the 1990’s will get skin cancer in their lifetime,” she said, adding “there are more cases of skin cancer each year then the number of breast, lung and colon cancer combined.”

Proclamation signed by Mayor Clive Tolley - source City of Moose Jaw

Melanoma is the seventh most common cancer in Canada and the fourth most common cancer for people from 15 - 29.

“It (melanoma) is one of the few cancers with incident rates on the rise among Canadians.”

Barnard said exposure to UV radiation naturally by the sun or artificially on tanning beds or sun lamps appears to be major factors in having melanoma.

Tanning beds and sun lamps are used to maintain a cosmetic tan in many northern climates where the lack of sun in especially the winter months has driven the tanning industry.

“Early detection and prevention is key to this type of cancer.”

Barnard said melanoma, like all cancers, can be prevented with a 100 percent certainty. But for skin cancers the risk factors are known allowing steps to help prevent it.

Barnard provided tips on how to prevent skin cancer which included applying sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, wear protective clothing (including long sleeve shirts and long pants), check for moles and see a doctor immediately if anything looks suspicious.

She also recommended people limiting their time in the sun between 10 am and 4 pm (when UV light is at its greatest intensity) and not to use a tanning bed.

Another measure to help prevent the spread of skin cancer is a regular skin check by a doctor every three years by a doctor between ages 20 and 40. And annually for those over 40.

“If you see something suspicious see your doctor right away.”

Barnard said she founded the Save Your Skin Foundation after winning her battle with melanoma after she was told she had six months to live.

Save Your Skin Foundation is a not for profit patient led foundation. The Foundation was founded by Barnard and her family.

“When I survived this deadly disease we knew how lucky we had been. And we wanted to pay it forward to those being diagnosed behind me.”

The Foundation works through education, advocacy and awareness initiatives across Canada to assist those battling skin cancer. The Foundation is also undertaking international work to help assist suffering from skin cancer and also help present its spread.

Mayor Clive Tolley has declared the month of May as Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month.

The Save Your Skin Foundation’s web-site can be reached by clicking the link.