Take small steps today and every day to protect your skin and prevent skin cancer.

Why it matters:

• Skin cancer is the most common of all cancer types. About one third of all new cases of cancer in Canada are skin cancers, and the rate continues to rise. 
• Cutaneous malignant melanoma in eastern Newfoundland and Labrador is increasing at a faster rate than in any other region in Canada according to recent research. The total incidence increased from 4.1 to 15.6 cases/100,000 person-years, which represents a 283.0 per cent increase from 2007 to 2015. 
• Newfoundland and Labrador has the highest age-standardized incidence rates (ASIR) of cancer (2021) (542.9 per 100,000).
• Between 1984 and 2017, the incidence rate for melanoma increased an average of 2.2 per cent per year in males and 1 .4 per cent per year in females. 

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation through sunlight, tanning beds and sun lamps is a well-established risk factor for melanoma.  

Preventative measures you can start today include never intentionally tanning (either from artificial or natural light), cover up and seek shade when outdoors, and wear and reapply sunscreen. You can also advocate for practicing sun safe behaviors, in all the roles that you fill. Whether as a family member, friend, educator, student and/or leader.

Memorial University's St. John's campus is a Skin Smart Campus

Memorial proudly stands as the first Canadian university to achieve the distinction of being designated as a Skin Smart Campus by The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention.

Ensuring the well-being of our students, we are providing a safe and healthy learning and living environment on and off campus, pledging to keep indoor tanning devices off our campus and our affiliated buildings. We also promote skin cancer prevention policies and education. 

The Indoor Tan-Free Skin Smart Campus Initiative is sponsored by the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention in response to the 2014 U.S. Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent Skin Cancer which concluded that there is a strong association between increased risk of skin cancer and indoor tanning use. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure from indoor tanning is completely avoidable which allows for interventions to help reduce skin-cancer related illness and deaths. Numerous studies have found that skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, with melanoma as one of the most common cancers diagnosed among young adults. According to The International Agency for Research on Cancer Working Group, the use of indoor tanning facilities before the age of 35 increases the risk for melanoma by 75 per cent.

Information on this website has been used with permission from Skin Smart Campus programming.