Canadian Cancer Society And The Tanning Industry

The Canadian Cancer Society has refused to answer questions about public misstatements its officials have made about UV exposure and has refused to sit down with representatives of the Canadian sunbed industry to even discuss the matter, despite requests from government officials that such a meeting should take place. The Joint Canadian Tanning Association on Feb. 21 formally requested a meeting with CCS officials to discuss CCS misstatements in its lobbying efforts and ways the groups could come together to support a common sun safety education message. JCTA's written request went unanswered until it was sent again on March 21, when CCS declined both a proposed meeting and to answer questions from JCTA. The Joint Canadian Tanning Association (JCTA) continues to attempt to gain an understanding of position taken by Canadian Cancer Society regarding indoor tanning. Comparing UV light exposure to tobacco and even being in Hiroshima when the bomb was dropped seem to the JCTA to be a misrepresentation of the risks associated with sunbed use. JCTA's Our requests to meet have been refused by the leadership at the Canadian Cancer Society. Even our specific requests to have clarifications of the Canadian Cancer Societies position have been ignored. Below are the 3 letters that have been exchanged in the order that they were sent. The first letter contains the specific clarifications we were hoping would be provided. They were not! JCTA letter #1 – This letter, in detail, lays out the issues that the JCTA was looking for clarification on. JCTA letter #2 – After a month and receiving no response whatsoever the JCTA sent a second letter requesting a response. Canadian Cancer Society letter – This letter, in response to our two requests provided no clarifications and claimed that most of the information we were looking for was on the Canadian Cancer Society’s web site. It was not! None of our questions were addressed. "Canadians should be very concerned that Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) - a non-profit charity - is not behaving in an academic fashion," Joint Canadian Tanning Association President Doug McNabb said. "Presented with the fact that they are misleading the public with certain statements, they have declined to even discuss their errors. Our letter and the unanswered questions speak for themselves." CCS said the answers to JCTA's questions are on CCS's website. None of them are. Among the misstatements: A senior CCS official stated publicly that people who use sunbeds "might as well go back to Hiroshima when the bomb was dropped." rnCCS has alleged that tanning is as dangerous as smoking -- a ludicrous comparison both by numbers and biology. Humans need UV exposure to live, whereas tobacco usage introduces the body to dozens of unnatural carcinogens. Smoking related deaths are 50 times those related to melanoma. A direct causal connection with UV and melanoma has yet to be established. Melanoma cancer is still more common in indoor workers than it is in outdoor workers who get 4-10 times more UV exposure. rnCCS is lobbying against sunbed usage, but has refused to call for dermatology to suspend its usage of sunbeds to treat purely cosmetic skin conditions -- a usage that often involves intentional sunburn and which World Health Organization data shows is 16 times riskier than commercial sunbed usage. In fact, CCS, in lobbying against sunbed usage, has lobbied to preserve the usage of sunbeds by dermatologists. "On a number of occasions we have been asked by government officials why we haven't met with the CCS," McNabb said. "For the betterment of public health in Canada we reached out to gain a better understanding of the CCS's lobbying and communications efforts. We are disappointed that the CCS has taken such a one-sided approach to these issues." About the Joint Canadian Tanning Association Founded in 2002, the JCTA is a national non-profit organization created to increase understanding of the professional tanning industry's scientifically supported position that regular moderate ultraviolet exposure from sunshine or sunbed, in a non-burning fashion, is part of a responsible lifestyle that recognizes both the inherent benefits and the manageable risks associated with ultraviolet light exposure. TanAwareness provides a balance to the messaging Canadians receive regarding sun exposure and sunbeds. For further information:rnMedia Contact:rnSteven Gilroy, Executive Directorrn1.800.915.0367 ext. 1rnM: 250.863.8765rnE: info@TanCanada.org