Ivan Litvinov

Fair complexion, UV exposure and history of sunburns as a child or adolescent remain critical risk factors for this disease. Hence, promoting sun protection in youth is vital to decrease individual risk of Cutaneous Melanoma (CM) in the adulthood. CM's incidence is growing at an alarming rate in Canada. In 2024 alone, ~11,300 new cases will be diagnosed, and 1,300 of CM-related-deaths are expected; about a 3-fold increase in the past three decades. Despite the rapid increase in incidence, many adolescents/young adults remain either unaware of the dangerous effects of sun exposure or apathetic towards sun safety measures knowingly exposing themselves to harmful UV radiation. Unfortunately, previous efforts in Canada (SunSense, BeSunSafe, The Big Burn, etc.) have not produced the desired results. Studies continue to report lack of awareness of CM in the Canadian population. A survey of >3,000 Canadians indicated that <50% of respondents were practicing "safe sun" habits. In comparison to the general population, young adults were least likely to protect themselves from the sun, where only 9% use sunscreen regularly, while 33% never use it. In contrast, in Australia, where public education efforts are more mature, >90% of the population is aware of CM risks and believes that it is a serious disease. Campaigns in Australia that focus on reducing UV exposure in adolescents have proven effective in decreasing the CM burden over time. 

In the presentation, our speaker discussed CM incidence by postal code in Canada and how weather/environment impacts melanoma risk based on the data form the Canadian Cancer Registry and Canadian Urban Environmental Health Research Consortium (CANUE). We evaluated changes in CM Mortality to Incidence Ratio (MIR) over time and discuss survey responses of over 70,000 Canadians detailing their sun protection practices over time. Dr. Litvinov also addressed the existing “sunscreen paradox” of why individuals who are using the most sunscreen have the highest incidence of skin cancers.

At the end of this presentation, participants were able to:

1. Understand the multifaceted impact of UV radiation on skin health and melanoma development, including molecular mechanisms like DNA damage, retrotransposon activation, and their role in influencing behaviors through biological pathways including the skin-brain-gonad axis and endogenous beta-endorphin production.

2. Analyze the epidemiological and environmental determinants of melanoma incidence and mortality, with a focus on geographic disparities, climate factors, and the protective or harmful effects of variables such as temperature, UV exposure, and rainfall.

3. Evaluate reported through surveys individual beliefs and behaviors in relation to sun exposure and melanoma awareness and understand how these trends changed over time. Evaluate the impact of "sunscreen paradox" on melanoma risk.