Join us in celebrating #MensHealthMonth throughout June as we work towards educating, empowering, and protecting men in Canada from the risks of melanoma and skin cancer.  Let’s prioritize men’s health and well-being and take action together for a healthier future.  

What We Do Know 

  • Men are more likely to die from melanoma than women. The latest projections show that men have a higher risk of getting Cutaneous Melanoma (CM), accounting for about 3.8% of new cases and 1.9% of all cancer-related deaths in men.  
  • Cutaneous Melanoma (CM) accounts for approximately 1 in every 5 skin cancer cases worldwide. The World Health Organization predicts that the number of CM cases will increase by over 50% between 2020 and 2040.  
  • Recent estimates suggest that around 43% of Canadians will receive a cancer diagnosis during their lifetime. Among the various types of cancers, melanoma ranks as the 7th most diagnosed cancer in Canada. Each year, it is projected that over 89,000 Canadians will receive a diagnosis of melanoma and other forms of skin cancer. 

Understanding Melanoma and its Risk Factor Among Men: 

In the battle against melanoma and skin cancer, two key factors demand our attention: lack of self-examination and lack of sun protection. These two areas are often neglected but hold importance in reducing the risks and severity of melanoma. 

  1. Lack of Self-Examination: Overlooking a Crucial Prevention Measure 
    • One important but often overlooked way to prevent Cutaneous Melanoma (CM) is by conducting regular self-examinations. It’s crucial to encourage men in your life to check their skin regularly for any changes or suspicious moles.  
    • Check your partner. Check yourself. Learning how to identify melanoma is vital because 75% of melanomas are detected by patients themselves. Pictured below are the most common areas where melanoma is diagnosed in females and males.
Most Common Areas where melanom and skin cancer is found on females and males.
  1. Lack of Sun Protection: A Risky Behavior Pattern
    • Research conducted on men’s attitudes and behaviors toward sun protection revealed that a minority of men reported taking precautionary measures to protect themselves from the sun and other UV radiations. The study, which surveyed 705 men recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk), further revealed that men engage in high-risk behavior for developing CM and are less likely to engage in protective behavior and attitudes to mitigate their risk of developing CM and other types of skin cancer. 

4 Ways to Protect the Men in Your Life from Melanoma and Skin Cancer:  

To promote healthier future and reduce the impact of melanoma on men, it is crucial to take proactive steps. Here are some actionable strategies to protect the men in your life from melanoma and skin cancer: 

  1. Encourage Regular Self-Examination – Learn how to Detect Melanoma and Sign Up for a monthly skin check reminder. 
  1. Promote Sun-Safe Behaviors – Not sure how? Learn about sun safety. 
  1. Educate Yourself – Use Melanoma Canada for melanoma and skin cancer support programs and resources. 
  1. Spread Awareness – Join our online community on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube. Share this article and include #MensHealthMonth @MelanomaCanada.