Rays of Change: Commentary on Potential Interventions for Skin Cancer Prevention in Ontario Medical Education

Auteurs-es

  • Aliyah King University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine, Ottawa, ON
  • Reetesh Bose Division of Dermatology, University of Ottawa, and The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON

DOI :

https://doi.org/10.18192/uojm.v15i1.7293

Mots-clés :

sun protection, dermatology, skin cancer, skin of colour, prevention

Résumé

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.

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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.

Bibliographies de l'auteur-e

Aliyah King, University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine, Ottawa, ON

University of Ottawa third-year medical student 

Reetesh Bose, Division of Dermatology, University of Ottawa, and The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON

Reetesh Bose, MD FRCPC

Lecturer, University of Ottawa

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Representative for Dermatology, The Ottawa Hospital

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Committee Member, Canadian Dermatology Association

Director of the Skin of Colour Dermatology Clinic

Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa and The Ottawa Hospital

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Publié-e

2025-05-13

Numéro

Vol. 15 No. 1 (2025): Advances in Medical Education

Rubrique

Commentary

Licence

© Aliyah King, BA, Reetesh Bose, MD FRCPC 2025

Licence Creative Commons

Cette œuvre est sous licence Creative Commons Attribution - Pas d'Utilisation Commerciale - Pas de Modification 4.0 International.

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