Reduce Your Risk of Skin Cancer

Who’s at risk of developing skin cancer?

Everyone under the sun!

Sink cancer is the most common type of cancer in Canada – and whether your skin is fair, medium or dark, you are at risk. UV rays from the sun or tanning equipment can damage anyone’s skin over time, but skin cancer can be prevented.
To reduce your changes of skin cancer, add these simple steps to your daily routine.
Do you:
• Have light-coloured skin, eyes and hair?
• Work, play or exercise in the sun for long periods of time?
• Have a history of sunburns in childhood?
• Take drugs that make you extra sensitive to UV rays?
• Use tanning beds or sunlamps?

If so, your risk of skin cancer is higher than the average person’s risk.

Does having a tan protect your skin from the sun?

A tan won’t stop the sun from damaging your skin. In fact, a tan is a sign that your skin is already hurting! This skin damage – which can lead to skin cancer – remains even after your tan fades.

Practice sun safety in all seasons

Rain, shine or snow, your skin needs protection.

People usually remember sun safety in the summer, but forget when fall comes. But whatever the weather or season, UV rays are always there! They can pass through the clouds, haze, fog or mist. And in the winter months – if you are out snowmobiling, skiing or sledding – forgetting the sunscreen and sunglasses is always a mistake! The sun’s rays reflect off the bright surface of the snow in the winter, just like they reflect off sand and water in the summer. Reflection off the snow can nearly double the strength of UV rays. In fact, exposed skin can burn more easily on a sunny winter day than on a sunny summer day!

Enjoy the sun safely

Follow a few simple steps, then get outside and have fun!

Check the UV Index

Before going outside, check the weather forecast for the UV Index. Every day the amount of UV you are exposed to depends on how much time you spend outside and on the strength of the sun’s rays. These rays are measured by the UV Index. The stronger the sun’s rays are, the higher the UV Index is.

Seek Shade

Why sweat it out in the sun when you can have it made in the shade? Choose to sit under a tree at the park. And when you can’t find shade, make your own! Set up tents or canopies for outdoor events or take an umbrella to the beach, on a picnic or when you are going out for a walk.

If you can see the sky from your shady spot, you still need to cover up with clothing, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. UV rays can reach you in the shade by reflecting off surrounding surfaces.

Cover up

One of the best ways to protect your skin from UV rays is to cover it up.

• Cover up as much of your skin as you can with tightly woven or UV-protective labeled clothing. Clothes provide better protection than sunscreen.
• Add a wide-brimmed hat to protect your head, face, ears and neck.
• Protect your eyes with sunglasses

What should you look for when buying sunglasses?

The best protection comes from close-fitting sunglasses in a wraparound style. Make sure they have UVA and UVB protection. The label might say UV 400 or 100% UV protection.

Slather on some sunscreen

Using sunscreen on exposed skin is an important step in any sun safety routine. Use sunscreen as your backup plan, no matter how high the sun protection factor (SPF) is. No sunscreen can protect you from every UV ray, so don’t use high SPF as a reason to stay in the sun longer.

• Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher – broad spectrum means you are protected from both UVA and UVB rays. Don’t forget to check the expiry date before you use it.
• Follow the directions on the bottle to apply. If you forget to put it on before going outside, it’s not too late! Put it on as soon as you can and reapply according to directions.
• Use a lip balm with SPF to protect your lips. Don’t forget to reapply.
• Use water-resistant sunscreen if you’re going swimming.

How much sunscreen should you use?

This is not a one-size-fits-all answer. It will depend on your size and your clothing. The average adult needs about 2 or 3 tablespoons of lotion sunscreen to cover the whole body and a teaspoon to cover face and neck.

Take extra care with kids

Kids love fun in the sun, but they may not know the risks.

To keep kids safe in the sun, adults need to take the lead. This means protecting children’s skin in the same ways you protect your own. Make these practices part of your child’s sun safety routine – and model them yourself. You’re protecting their skin now and teaching them sun-safe habits for life.

• Seek shade.
• Cover as much of their skin as you can with clothing. Have them wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
• Have them wear a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
• Whenever possible, plan outdoor activities for kids when the sun is not at its strongest.

Babie’s skin is even more sensitive.

Babies have less natural sun protection in their skin than older kids and adults. This means they need extra care. Avoiding direct sunlight is best, but if you can’t, it’s OK to use a little sunscreen on your baby.

• Keep them cool! The heat of the sun can make babies dehydrated or give them sunstroke quickly.
• Keep babies out of direct sunlight by finding shade or using stroller hoods or covers.

Did you miss a spot?

People often forget these areas when applying sunscreen:
• Tops of feet
• Tops of ears
• Backs of hands
• Back of neck
• Chest
• Scalp/hair line

Don’t use tanning beds

A salon tan is just as unsafe as a suntan.

Just like the sun, tanning beds and sun lamps use UV radiation to tan your skin. This artificial UV causes skin damage that can lead to skin cancer. In fact, studies show that some tanning beds expose you to up to 5 times more radiation than the sun! Tanning beds can also cause premature aging and cataracts – probably not what people expect when they are trying to get a “healthy glow”.

The risk isn’t work it. If you want a lifetime of healthy skin, reducing your exposure to all types of UV rays – and never using tanning beds – is the only way to go.

Get your daily dose of vitamin D

…but don’t overdo it!

Getting enough vitamin D is important. This vitamin helps keep your bones and muscles healthy. There is also evidence that vitamin D may reduce the risk of some types of cancer. Your skin produces vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, but you don’t need a tan to get your daily dose. For most people, just a few minutes out in the sun – the short, casual exposure you get while going about daily life – will be enough.

These ways to get vitamin D are safer than UV rays:

• Get your vitamin D from food. (Many foods are now fortified with vitamin D.)
• Talk to your doctor about whether taking a vitamin supplement of 1000 IU every day in the fall and winter is right for you. You may need to take a supplement all year if you are over 50 years old, have dark skin, don’t go outside very much or wear clothing that covers most of your skin.

Know the signs of skin cancer

If found early enough, most skin cancers can be cured.

Along with using the simple tips in this article, checking your skin regularly is your best defense against skin cancer. Have someone else check places that are hard for you to see, such as your back and the back of your neck, ears and legs. If you find any changes, see your doctor right away.

What to watch for:

• Any change in a birthmark
• A mole that changes shape, colour, size or surface
• Any new growth on your skin
• Any sore that doesn’t heal
• An area of skin that bleeds, oozes, swells, itches or is red and bumpy

Find out more

Contact the Canadian Cancer Society
Monday to Friday at 1-888-939-3333 (TTY: 1-866-786-3934)
Email: info@cis.cancer.ca
Visit cancer.ca
Contact your local office. Services are free and confidential.