To help focus the world’s attention on the global cancer burden, the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) collected more than 25 000 signatures towards the Union for International Cancer Control’s (UICC) World Cancer Declaration, was a campaign aimed at collecting a million signatures which were presented to the United Nations at its Summit on Non-Communicable Diseases in September 2011.

CANSA’s next focus is to collect 50 000 signatures to influence the SA government to ban children under 18 from using tanning beds. The petition will be presented to the health authorities in February next year as part of World Cancer Day celebrations.

Dramatic Rise

Skin cancer is one of the most common form of cancer in SA, putting risk levels for South Africans among the highest in the world with melanoma as the most deadly type of skin cancer on the rise. The International Agency for Research on Cancer includes plutonium, cigarettes and tanning devices on its list of the most dangerous cancer-causing agents.

“Laws protecting under 18s from the deadly consequences of using tanning beds have already been introduced in Canada, the United Kingdom and America – it’s time our government also come on board to protect our youth,” said CANSA CEO, Sue Janse van Rensburg.

To demonstrate your commitment to the fight against skin cancer, sign the petition at www.cansa.org.za or visit your nearest CANSA Care Centre to sign the pledge.