Protecting Your Skin From the Sun

What is Skin Cancer? 

Skin cancer is a disease that starts in the skin cells as abnormal cells begin to grow uncontrollably.  These cells often cluster together to form moles.  Most moles are non cancerous, but some may develop into a serious type of skin cancer.  There are three types of skin cancer:  basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma.  The first two are usually non-fatal and can be treated where as, malignant melanoma can be fatal and can spread to almost any part of the body. Most skin cancers will occur on areas of the skin that are exposed repeatedly to the sun.  The face, neck, arms, or hands are most at risk.

What causes skin cancer?  

One of the main causes of skin cancer can be linked to the amount of exposure of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) that the sun and certain kinds of heat lamps produce. Other factors can increase our risk of skin cancer:

• Age (especially over the age of 50)
• Fair or freckled skin
• If you were sunburned during childhood
• Using tanning beds
• History of skin cancers in the family
• Previous skin disorders
• Severe skin damage such as burns
• Having lots of moles

Who is at Risk?   

Skin cancer can occur in both men and woman.  Statistics Canada reports that the rate for melanoma skin cancer is increasing in both men and women.  It is speculated that the rate of skin cancer is increasing because of intense sunlight exposure and improvements in the detection of the disease. Melanoma is the fastest growing cancer in the world.  In 2004, there were 4,200 new cases of melanoma in Canada and 850 deaths due to melanoma (Canadian Cancer Society).

The importance of early detection

The early detection of skin cancer significantly increases the odds of a successful treatment.  If melanomas are treated in their early stages, it could be 95% curable.  For more information on detecting skin cancer, check out the Canadian Dermatology Association web site.

Reducing the Risks of Skin Cancer

Protecting yourself from the sun’s ultraviolet rays, and rays from tanning beds, is the most important thing you can do to prevent skin cancer. 

In addition the following tips can also help reduce the risk:

•  Reduce exposure to the sun during peak ultraviolet (UV) times – 

      10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

•  Seek shade or make your own shade.Protect arms and legs with tightly woven, dark, loose fitting clothing.
•  Wear a wide brimmed hat or a French foreign legion type hat to protect your face, head, neck and ears.
•  Keep babies under one year of age out of direct sunlight.
•  Stay away from tanning salons that use ultraviolet rays.
•  Wear sunglasses that protect the eyes from ultraviolet rays.  Look for wrap around glasses that protect the sides of your eyes and are labelled as UV protective.
•  Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen (covers both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) with at least a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15.  Apply 15-30 minutes before going outdoors. If you will be outdoors for long periods of time, consider using a SPF of 30.  Re-apply often, at least every 2 hours and after being in the water or vigorous activity and sweating. 

For more information about skin cancer and ways to reduce your risk, visit the Canadian Cancer Society or the Canadian Dermatology Association web sites.

 Ministry of the Environment (modified by Windsor Essex County Health Unit – March 2005)

Reliable Link: Environment Canada, UV Index, http://www.msc.ec.gc.ca/education/uvindex/index_e.html

Sources:  Health Canada, Canadian Dermatology Association, and Canadian Cancer Society