Grad students at Chatelech and Elphinstone secondary schools will be avoiding the tanning booths and slathering on the sunblock to take a stand against skin cancer.
The two schools are entering into a friendly competition to be tan free for their graduation as part of the Canadian Cancer Society's Tanning is Out campaign. They will be participating in the campaign along with schools in Burnaby, North Vancouver and West Vancouver.
"Leaders of the campaign will be debunking myths about tanning, spreading the message about sun safety and educating students on the dangers of UV radiation. By pledging to forgo indoor and outdoor tanning, grads are encouraging fellow students to embrace their own skin tone," a press release from the Canadian Cancer Society stated.
The society's website states that skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in Canada and that melanoma skin cancer is the most deadly form. Melanoma is also one of the most common forms of cancer for people between the ages of 15 and 29.
"Using indoor tanning equipment before the age of 35 has been found to increase the risk of melanoma by 75 per cent," the cancer society's website states.
In light of the discovery, the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer recently upgraded the classification of indoor tanning from a possible to a known carcinogen.
With all of the evidence linking tanning to skin cancer, local grads have taken a stand against tanning and instead embraced their natural glow this year.
"Skin cancer is most prominent in young people, in part because of the immense pressure to be attractive," said Elphi grad Kelly Perreur-Lloyd.
"There are many myths that having a tan makes you more attractive and that it is healthy for you, but none of these are true. Tanned skin is damaged skin, which could lead to wrinkles and premature aging. Another myth is that tanning is healthy; in fact, any change in the colour of skin is damage to the skin."
Kelly is taking part in the campaign at his school in memory of his aunt who lost her battle with cancer this past year.
"I want to raise awareness so we can prevent skin cancer in as many people as possible," he said.
Chatelech grad Eve Magnussen wants to participate to encourage others to take a simple step to protect their health.
"I have decided to participate in the tan-free grad campaign because protecting your skin is one of the easiest yet most overlooked ways to prevent cancer," she said. "Self-acceptance is key; know that when it comes to your health, nothing should be compromised."
Individual grads are taking the pledge not to tan for graduation at Chat and Elphi this month, and the Canadian Cancer Society encourages others to take part by signing an online petition for an indoor tanning ban for youth under 18 at www.cancergameplan.ca.
The provincial petition is calling on the B.C. government to pass province-wide legislation banning those under the age of 18 from using artificial tanning equipment.
