Skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, but rates of skin cancer are rising in British Columbia.
Overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays causes skin damage that can lead to skin cancer, including melanoma, the most dangerous kind of skin cancer. And exposure to UV light from tanning beds or sun lamps can also cause skin cancer. In fact, there are no safe tanning beds. Because many cases of serious skin cancer begin with childhood sunburns, sun safety for kids is especially important.
If you have had any kind of skin cancer—whether basal cell, squamous cell, or melanoma—your risk of developing another skin cancer is increased. Survivors of kidney cancer are also at higher risk of developing the most dangerous type of skin cancer, melanoma.
Being sun safe doesn’t mean you have to hide in a cave! However, even on a cloudy day and in winter, you should follow these steps to protect your skin.
- Try to limit the amount of time you spend in direct sun between 11 am and 3 pm.
- Seek out shade, or make your own shade with an umbrella or awning.
- Cover up with loose-fitting long sleeves, long pants or skirt/dress made of tightly woven fabric.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat that protects your face, neck and ears.
- Use sunglasses that block both ultraviolet-A (UVA) and ultraviolet-B (UVB) rays, to protect your eyes. For winter sports, be sure to protect your eyes with goggles.
- Smooth on some sunscreen to give you added protection from the sun, especially when you can’t find shade or cover up with clothing. Your sunscreen should have a minimum Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 and should be labelled “broad-spectrum”. Apply enough to leave your skin white – it will soak in. Use lipstick or SPF 30 lip balm to protect your lips. Reapply sunscreen throughout the day, especially if you are spending time on or in water, or if you are sweating from physical activity.
For more in-depth information, please visit suntips.ca