It's hard to ignore the sun when it makes an appearance during the summer but this week people are drawing extra attention to our local star.
Started in 1989 by the Canadian Dermatology Association, Sun Awareness Week is aimed at educating Canadians about the risks of too much sun for the skin.
"People often think that burning is dangerous and that tanning itself isn't," said Megan Klitch, health promotion co-ordinator for the Canadian Cancer Society northern region.
According to 2006 statistics, 49 per cent of young women and 28 per cent of young men actively try to get a tan from the sun.
"We know that youth are particularly vulnerable," Klitch said, also noting that if a young person is severely burned before the age of 18 they're are twice as likely to get skin cancer as adults.
Locally, the society is using the week to recognize the initiative of young people who have pledged to go tan-free this year. In Northern B.C., 1,269 high school students have taken the pledge to own their skin tone through the Tanning is Out initiative.
This summer, the youth-led engagement is leaving the classroom and coming to community events around the city until September.
College Heights secondary school graduates Joshua Power and Taylor Kandler are leading the volunteer UV Team, which will set up at under bright orange umbrellas to interact with residents and engage them on ways to stay sun-safe.
Power was inspired to get a local campaign going after attending a forum last month for young people interested in cancer prevention and leadership.
"I wanted to come back and do something to change the social knowledge behind having a tan being something that looks good," said Power, 19. "I wanted to make sure I came back into town and tried to get people to embrace their own skin tone."
Among the tips the cancer society is offering to save your skin are:
n Reduce sun exposure between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. and when the UV index is above 3.
n Cover up with loose-fitting clothing and seek shade.
n Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
n Use SPF 15 or higher sunscreen and reapply according to the instructions.
n Avoid indoor tanning.
