In 2018, 7,200 Canadians will be diagnosed with malignant melanoma and 1,250 Canadians will die from this deadly disease. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation, from the sun or from tanning beds, is the number one cause of rising melanoma rates in Canada.

Occasional use of tanning beds before the age of 35 can increase your risk of developing melanoma by 75 percent. Fortunately, prevention is the best way to avoid a diagnosis of malignant melanoma.

“Dermatology nurses play a critical role in the skin cancer journey and serve as a great resource for patients as they battle this deadly disease,” says Lynne Vear, RN and President of the Canadian Dermatology Nurses Association. “In addition to providing support to patients, dermatology nurses devote a tremendous amount of time to educating Canadians about the dangers of sun exposure by providing patient education, instructions on skin self-examination, and sun safety education.” And remember, no tan is a safe tan.