The Melanoma Network of Canada Applauds Quebec Government for Introducing Bill to Ban Indoor Tanning for Youth

~ Action is needed to prevent the deadliest form of skin cancer ~

TORONTO, May 22, 2012 /CNW/ - The Melanoma Network of Canada (MNC) commends the Quebec government for introducing legislation to ban indoor tanning by those under the age of 18, and asks the Quebec government to take swift action to protect Quebec's youth.

"The medical community has been waiting for legislation like this for a long time. Each year, there are 22,000 newly diagnosed cases of skin cancer and the number of cases of melanoma in Quebec has doubled in the last 15 years," said Joël Claveau, Dermatologist, Dermatology and Pigmented Lesion Clinic, Hospital Hotel-Dieu de Quebec. "Skin cancer should be taken seriously and all prevention efforts are important."

The bill, introduced on May 15, mirrors the actions being taken by other Canadian provinces. Nova Scotia currently enforces an age limit on indoor tanning, and British Columbia announced similar legislation in March. Most recently, Ontario's NDP health critic introduced a private member's bill with the same goal. France, Germany, Australia and the majority of the United States have also banned the use of tanning salons by those under the age of 18.

If passed, the bill would also impose strict regulations around the advertising efforts of tanning salons in Quebec, and require that they post warnings about the dangers of indoor tanning.

"While we have seen the introduction of breakthrough treatment advances for melanoma in recent months, prevention of the disease continues to be a priority," said Annette Cyr, Chair of the Melanoma Network of Canada. "We strongly urge the members of the Quebec National Assembly to lend their support and pass this important piece of legislation."

For information on melanoma or to get involved, please visit us at www.melanomanetwork.ca.

About Melanoma

Melanoma is one of the fastest-growing cancers worldwide, and can affect anyone regardless of sex, age or race.¹ It is one of the most frequently-diagnosed cancers in Canada, affecting 5,800 people in 2012 and causing 970 deaths.²

The incidence of melanoma has been increasing for the past 30 years,³ more rapidly among men than any other cancer, and more rapidly among women than any other cancer except lung cancer.⁴

About the Melanoma Network of Canada (MNC)

Melanoma Network of Canada (MNC) is a patient-led organization dedicated to the prevention and elimination of melanoma. Established in 2009 by a small group of patients and caregivers, the MNC works in collaboration with medical professionals, health care agencies and other stakeholders to educate, advocate and fund for early diagnosis and effective treatment of melanoma, education, prevention and awareness programs, relevant and innovative research, support for patients and an improved quality of life for those living with melanoma.

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¹ Melanoma Network of Canada. Facts Summary. Available at: http://melanomanetwork.ca/page.php?page=14. Accessed January 19, 2012.
² Canadian Cancer Society. Canadian Cancer Statistics 2012. Available at: http://www.cancer.ca/Canada-
wide/About%20cancer/~/media/CCS/Canada%20wide/Files%20List/English%20files%20heading/PDF%20-
%20Policy%20-%20Canadian%20Cancer%20Statistics%20-
%20English/Canadian%20Cancer%20Statistics%202012%20-%20English.ashx. Accessed May 16, 2012.
³ Public Health Agency of Canada. Melanoma Skin Cancer Facts and Figures. Available at: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/cd-
mc/cancer/melanoma_skin_cancer_figures-cancer_peau_melanome_figures-eng.php. Accessed January 17, 2011.
⁴ Horn-Ross, P.L., Holly, E.A., Brown, S.R., et al. Temporal trends in the incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma among Caucasians in the San Francisco-Oakland MSA. Canc Causes Contr.1991; 2(5):299-305.

Annette Cyr, Chair
Melanoma Network of Canada
289-242-2010
[email protected]