Skin cancer: when will there be sunscreen dispensers in parks?

Sunscreen dispensers, shaded areas in parks, a ban on tanning salons: a few inexpensive measures must be implemented in Quebec to stem the scourge of skin cancer, which is largely preventable, argues an organization.

• Read also: “VAT 5 p.m.”: Sophie Thibault “happy” to resume her post

• Read also: COVID-19: more than 15,000 undiagnosed cancers in 2020?

• Read also: Here’s how to spot the signs of skin cancer

“But what are we waiting for to take concrete action? There are solutions, and they are not expensive!” says Eva Villalba, Executive Director of the Cancer Priority Coalition, a group of 60 organizations that defends cancer patients.

While a first heat wave will hit Quebec in the coming days, the organization reiterates the importance of protecting against skin cancer, which strikes 30,000 Quebecers each year and kills 250 patients.

‘Preventable deaths’

“These are completely preventable deaths, adds M^me Villalba. We trivialize skin cancer too much.”

Unlike other cancers, the incidence of melanoma (the most dangerous form) even increased by 140% between 2009 and 2019, according to the Quebec Cancer Registry. Moreover, global warming will bring more periods of extreme heat to Quebec.

Faced with this observation, the Coalition is launching five proposals so that Quebec society does its utmost to reduce the risks:

1. Free sunscreen dispensers;
2. Shady areas in public spaces (parks, swimming pools, playgrounds);
3. Ban on tanning salons;
4. Protective clothing provided to outside workers;
5. Awareness programs for children at school.

A few years ago, Canadian provinces (Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta) set up sunscreen dispensers in parks and outdoor swimming pools.

We see the same thing in several other cities like New York and Los Angeles and in Europe. However, in Quebec, no municipality has yet implemented this kind of free protection, notes the Coalition.

“Not everyone can afford good sunscreen, it’s a matter of fairness,” believes M^me Villalba.

Moreover, we emphasize that it is wrong to believe that the sun is less strong in Quebec, since we are a Nordic country.

“The danger is there as soon as the UV index is more than three,” she recalls.

According to the Coalition, cities should support the distribution of free sunscreen and the addition of shaded areas in public spaces.

Like a helmet

We also ask that outside workers (lifeguards, construction workers) have free access to protective clothing, in the same way as a helmet.

Furthermore, the Coalition believes it is time to ban tanning salons once and for all.

“Honestly, what’s the benefit of that? It adds nothing to society, but it takes away a lot, ”says the spokesperson.

We also remember that children who have had a few sunburns have a greater risk of developing skin cancer. Although few figures exist on the economic impact of these cancers, M^me Villalba is convinced that they are “not insignificant” for society.