Interview with Santina Conte, Medical Student at McGill University and MDCM Candidate
Santina Conte is a third-year medical student at McGill University. She is also a Dermatology Student Researcher and works alongside a team of attending dermatologists and residents. Their recent project is entitled a Population-Based Study Detailing Cutaneous Melanoma Incidence and Mortality Trends in Canada. This study, published in March 2022 in Frontiers in Medicine, showcases the evolution of incidence and mortality trends across the provinces and territories from 2011-2017, and compares these to previous findings for 1992-2010.
Q 1: What inspired your work in melanoma awareness and research?
In a recent call with Santina, she spoke passionately about promoting sun safety and early detection practices to decrease melanoma incidence and mortality rates. She highlighted that ultraviolet radiation exposure, whether it be natural or artificial, is the primary risk factor for skin cancer development. However, despite extensive knowledge on the causal impact of UV radiation, many still avoid practicing sun protection and sun avoidance, contributing to the alarming increases in melanoma incidence rates across Canada. Santina emphasized that unlike other cancers, melanoma is often visible on the surface of the skin and therefore we have the unique opportunity to be proactive and check our skin before it’s too late
Q 2: Why are incidence rates increasing all over Canada? What do you believe are the most prevalent barriers against sun protection and sun safety practices?
Santina shared that when it comes to melanoma preventive behaviors there is a huge psychosocial barrier that needs to be addressed. This psychosocial barrier refers to tanning attitudes, skin cancer knowledge and perceptions of the efficacy of sun protective behaviors. For instance, in today’s society, forced UV exposure through tanning has been popularized. There is a perceived association between tanned skin and attractiveness, which is especially prevalent in teenagers and young adults. The promotion of such positive perceptions of tanning has contributed greatly to the rising incidence rates. Additionally, misconceptions of skin cancer and related preventive behaviors are still prevalent. This leads to inconsistent implementation of preventive behaviors. This can include not knowing when to put sunscreen on and how often to apply it. Santina discussed that the solution to reducing melanoma incidence rates lies in addressing these perceived barriers and sun safety determinants and promoting knowledge and awareness through public health campaigns.
Q 3: What are a few takeaways from your study that you’d like others to know about?
This population-based study extracted population trends over a 7-year period highlighting alarming increases in Cutaneous Melanoma (CM) incidence rates in Canada. Among the different provinces and territories, greater Cutaneous Melanoma incidence and mortality rates were reported in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, southern Ontario/British Columbia and certain coastal communities of New Brunswick.
On a national level, the Cutaneous melanoma trends show an annual increase of 0.59 cases per 100,000 individuals. This study also highlights that CM incidence in high-risk populations is most dependent on climate/geography and human behavior, such as adherence to sun protection practices.
This study provides greater awareness of high-risk populations, potential risk factors contributing to melanoma incidence and barriers to sun protection practices. This represents an important step towards helping high-risk populations for CM through public education and awareness efforts.
Q 4: Can you share some of the key differences in cutaneous melanoma incidence rates with varying sexes/ genders?
Santina noted that there is a higher melanoma burden for men, specifically 54.2% of cutaneous melanoma cases were observed in males whereas only 45.8% were observed in females (2011-2017). This trend is consistent with those observed between 1992-2010. Santina discussed several reasons for the increased melanoma incidence rates and rates of later diagnoses in men. Men are less likely than women to practice consistent sun protective behaviors such as wearing sunscreen or sun protective clothing. This is due to a reduced awareness of skin cancer and the perceived association between their adherence to such practices and feminity. This unfortunately leads to greater UV radiation exposure and risk of developing skin cancer.
Santina also mentioned key differences in the affected areas of melanoma between both sexes. For instance, acral lentiginous melanoma which is known to affect the extremities (i.e., hands and feet) are more common in females than males. However, the majority of CM cases in males affect the head, neck and trunk. Knowing these high-risk anatomic sites can be helpful in future early detection practices.
Q 5: What is your message to the general public and what changes would you advise others to make in order to reverse current melanoma trends?
Santina highlighted that perhaps one of the greatest barriers for melanoma prevention is our perceived norms and attitudes. Despite extensive knowledge of the detrimental effect of UV radiation exposure on skin cancer development, many still continue to tan and neglect sun protection practices. With rising melanoma incidence rates, it is more important now than ever that we address and question these perceived norms and become informed on the primary risk factors for melanoma skin cancers. It’s important that we spread the message that no tan is a healthy tan and promote the association of healthy skin and attractiveness.
Since 2013, there has been a decline in melanoma mortality rates due to advancements in effective targeted and immunotherapy treatments. However, many are still being diagnosed at later stages of melanoma as a result of abstaining from early detection practices. In addition to wearing sunscreen every day and other sun safety practices, it is vital that you check your skin at least monthly.
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No Fields Found.To reverse current melanoma trends, you must be prepared to have conversations about melanoma preventive measures with friends and family. You can also help perform skin checks for your family and encourage them to go for regular check-ups with their doctor. Starting today, learn more about how to help prevent skin cancer for yourself and those around you and make sun protection an everyday habit.
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To read the full study visit frontiersin.org
To learn more about melanoma incidence rates in Men, check out our Men’s Health Article
