Rays of Change: Commentary on Potential Interventions for Skin Cancer Prevention in Ontario Medical Education
Main Article Content
Abstract
This commentary addresses the rising incidence of skin cancer in Ontario and the exclusion of Skin of Colour (SOC) populations from sun-protection advocacy. It proposes the installation of sunscreen dispensers in medical schools to promote sun safety habits and awareness among future healthcare providers. The initiative aims to reduce skin cancer rates by normalizing sunscreen use across all skin types, with educational infographics emphasizing SOC needs. Despite potential barriers such as cost and community resistance, the involvement of healthcare professionals and students could drive long-term change in sun-protective behaviors and improve population health outcomes.
----------
Ce commentaire aborde l’augmentation de l’incidence du cancer de la peau en Ontario et la sous-représentation des populations à peau foncée (Skin of Colour, SOC) dans la promotion de la protection solaire. Il propose l’installation de distributeurs de crème solaire dans les écoles de médecine afin de promouvoir les habitudes de protection solaire et la sensibilisation auprès des futurs professionnels de santé. L’initiative vise à normaliser l’usage de la crème solaire pour tous les types de peau, en intégrant des infographies éducatives adaptées aux besoins des populations SOC. Malgré les obstacles potentiels tels que le coût et la résistance communautaire, l’implication des professionnels de santé et des étudiants pourrait favoriser un changement à long terme des comportements de protection solaire et améliorer les résultats de santé publique.
Article Details

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
- Authors publishing in the UOJM retain copyright of their articles, including all the drafts and the final published version in the journal.
- While UOJM does not retain any rights to the articles submitted, by agreeing to publish in UOJM, authors are granting the journal right of first publication and distribution rights of their articles.
- Authors are free to submit their works to other publications, including journals, institutional repositories or books, with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in UOJM.
- Copies of UOJM are distributed both in print and online, and all materials will be publicly available online. The journal holds no legal responsibility as to how these materials will be used by the public.
- Please ensure that all authors, co-authors and investigators have read and agree to these terms.
- Works are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
Armstrong BK, Kricker A. The epidemiology of UV induced skin cancer. J Photochem Photobiol B. 2001 Oct;63(1–3):8–18.
Oliveria SA. Sun exposure and risk of melanoma. Arch Dis Child. 2005 May;91(2):131–8.
Skin cancers increasing among adults [Internet]. Toronto (ON): Cancer Care Ontario; 2021 [cited 2023 Feb 5]. Available from: https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/cancer-facts/skin-cancers-increasing-among-adults
Brenner DR, Poirier A, Woods RR, Ellison LF, Billette JM, Demers AA, et al. Projected estimates of cancer in Canada in 2022. CMAJ. 2022 May;194(17):E601–7.
Ch 4: Cancer Incidence [Internet] | Toronto (ON): Cancer Care Ontario; 2022. [cited 2024 Nov 3]. Available from: https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/data-research/view-data/statistical-reports/ontario-cancer-statistics-2022/ch-4-cancers-incidence-2022
Conte S, Ghazawi FM, Le M, Nedjar H, Alakel A, Lagacé F, et al. Population-Based Study Detailing Cutaneous Melanoma Incidence and Mortality Trends in Canada. Front Med. 2022 Mar;9:830254.
Joshua AM. Melanoma Prevention: Are We Doing Enough? A Canadian Perspective. Curr Oncol. 2012 Dec;19(6):462–7.
Campbell HS, Birdsell JM. Knowledge, beliefs, and sun protection behaviors of Alberta adults. Prev Med. 1994;23(2):160–6.
Marks R. Melanoma prevention: is it possible to change a popu- lation’s behavior in the sun? Pigment Cell Res. 1994;7:104–6.
Pichora EC, Marrett LD. Sun behaviour in Canadian children: results of the 2006 National Sun Survey. Can J Public Health. 2010;101:I14–8.
Nahar VK, Wilkerson AH, Ghafari G, Martin B, Black WH, Boyas JF, et al. Skin cancer knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and prevention practices among medical students: A systematic search and literature review. Int J Womens Dermatol. 2018 Sep;4(3):139–49.
Gooderham MJ, Guenther L. Impact of a Sun Awareness Curriculum on Medical Students’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviour. J Cutan Med Surg. 1999 Apr;3(4):182–7.
Fajuyigbe D, Lwin SM, Diffey BL, Baker R, Tobin DJ, Sarkany RPE, et al. Melanin distribution in human epidermis affords localized protection against DNA photodamage and concurs with skin cancer incidence difference in extreme phototypes. FASEB J. 2018;32(7):3700–6.
Calderón TA, Bleakley A, Jordan AB, Lazovich D, Glanz K. Correlates of sun protection behaviors in racially and ethnically diverse U.S. adults. Prev Med Rep. 2019;13:346–53.
Tripathi R, Archibald LK, Mazmudar RS, Conic RRZ, Rothermel LD, Scott JF, et al. Racial differences in time to treatment for melanoma. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020 Sep;83(3):854–9.
Sacksner JP, Kaundinya T, Daftary K, Jackson KL, Kundu RV. Skin tone preferences and their influence on skin care behaviors. Arch Dermatol Res. 2022 Dec;314(10):961–6.
McKenzie C, Kundu RV. Sun Protective Behaviors among US Racial and Ethnic Minorities with Sun Sensitive Skin. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019 Jul;S0190-9622(19)32305-9.
McCormack L, Dzuali FS, Tappel A, Huang JT. Fair-y Tales: An analysis of children’s books about sun safety. Pediatr Dermatol. 2021 Jan;38(1):66–71.
Diffey BL, Fajuyigbe D, Wright CY. Sunburn and sun protection in black skin. Int J Dermatol. 2019;58(9):1053–5.
Maarouf M, Zullo SW, DeCapite T, Shi VY. Skin Cancer Epidemiology and Sun Protection Behaviors Among Native Americans. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019 May;18(5):420–3.
#BeSunSafe [Internet]. Toronto (ON): Be Sun Safe; [cited 2023 Feb 5]. Available from: https://besunsafe.ca
Keep your skin safe at Urban Park with cool new sunscreen dispenser [Internet]. Timmons (ON): Timmins Today; 2019 [cited 2023 Feb 5]. Available from: https://www.timminstoday.com/local-news/keep-your-skin-safe-at-urban-park-with-cool-new-sunscreen-dispenser-1637693
Sunscreen Dispensers - Save Your Skin Foundation [Internet]. Penticton (BC): Save Your Skin; 2021 [cited 2023 Feb 5]. Available from: https://saveyourskin.ca/sunscreen-dispensers/
Marroquin NA, Sivesind TE, Burnette C, LaMar K, Dellavalle RP. Free sunscreen dispensers: A readily available asset for the primary prevention of skin cancer. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2023;88(3);724-726
Wood M, Raisanen T, Polcari I. Observational study of free public sunscreen dispenser use at a major US outdoor event. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017;77(1):164–6.
Bengtson B. Public sunscreen dispensers launched as part of pilot project [Internet]. North Vancouver (BC): North Shore News. 2019 [cited 2022 Dec 28]. Available from: https://www.nsnews.com/living/public-sunscreen-dispensers-launched-as-part-of-pilot-project-3105169