The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) in Prince George is organizing a campaign encouraging high school students to refrain from using tanning beds before graduation.
Tanning is Out campaign is designed to raise awareness among youth about dangers associated with ultra violet exposure in relation to skin cancer.
"Melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, is one of the most common cancers in young people between ages 15 and 29," said Megan Klitch, health promotion co-ordinator with CCS.
"Use of indoor tanning equipment before the age of 35 increases a risk of melanoma by 75 per cent, according to the World Health Organization.
"The CCS estimates there were 790 new cases of melanoma in B.C. in 2010 and 130 deaths," said Klitch.
Kelly Road secondary school student Hayley Seiter said, many grads are aware of the dangers of tanning, yet they still do it.
"In the battle against tanning, knowledge is our best defence," she said.
There's no question tanning increases the risk of cancer, said Dr. Winston Bishop, a Prince George oncologist. He supports the campaign.
"Tanning is being discouraged due to dangers of skin cancer. It's known to be a risk."
Owners of local tanning salons are not bothered by the campaign.
"It doesn't really concern me too much. We don't get a lot of people in that age group," said the owner of Awesome Tan.
Latoya Denis of Ospika Tanning said, "It doesn't bother us at all."
One salon had no official spokesperson on site while another said they were too busy at the moment to discuss it.
During the campaign Grade 12 students at Kelly Road, College Heights, Duchess Park and Prince George senior secondary schools will compete with high schools in Quesnel, Houston, Smithers and Terrace to be the school with the highest percentage of grads making a commitment to be tan free for graduation.
The grads in the school with the highest percentage taking the pledge have opportunities to win prizes ranging from gift cards to jewelry to a tuition credit to entertainment.
Since most skin cancers can be cured with early detection, the CCS advises to watch for moles and birthmarks that show changes, sores that will not heal, new growths on the skin and any skin patch that bleeds, oozes, swells or itches.
