Even with all of the rain the Sudbury area has received this summer, sun safety continues to be a big concern. Rates of skin cancer are increasing and exposure to harmful UV rays continues throughout all the seasons during outdoor activities and when using artificial tanning devices. A survey conducted by Dr. Loraine Marrett, a researcher with Canadian Cancer Society and Director of Surveillance at Cancer Care Ontario, showed that Canadians are not as careful as they should be when spending time in the sun.  The results showed that small children ages 1-5 and adults over 65 are generally well protected.  However, young adults who spend the most time on average in the sun or in tanning beds are the least protected from its harmful rays.  This puts them at risk for skin cancer now and in the future.

It is important to remember that tans are not healthy and do not protect your skin from the sun.  In fact, all tanning and burning causes damage and premature aging to your skin.  Using a tanning bed or lamp is no safer.  The risks of UV rays from the artificial lamps are the same as from the sun.   The World Health Organization recommends that people under the age of 18 should not use tanning beds or lamps.

Some people are concerned about having a lack of vitamin D which is provided by the sun and also through diet and supplements.  It is needed for healthy bones and muscles and may also have protective benefits against some forms of cancer.  You do not need to tan to receive benefits of vitamin D from the sun since a few minutes a day of unprotected sun exposure is enough.  Even so, living in the north means that the sun’s rays are weak and we may not be able to gain the benefits of the sun, especially in winter months.  Ask your health care provider if you should take a vitamin D supplement.

There are several types of skin cancer including basal cell, squamous cell and malignant melanoma.   Skin lesions known as actinic keratoses should be treated since they can become squamous cell skin cancers. The Canadian Dermatology Association provides information about each of these along with photos. Check out this site:  http://www.dermatology.ca/patients_public/info_patients/skin_cancer/index.html

People should check their skin once a month and have an annual examination by their health care professional.  You should also see your health care provider if you note anything unusual or a change in existing lesions or moles.  This link takes you to a Guide for Skin Cancer Self-Examination: http://www.dermatology.ca/english/public-patients/skincancer/SE-guide_e.pdf

Remembering a few simple things can help you to reduce your risk of skin cancer:

• Skin can be damaged through shade or fog
• UV rays are reflected on snow, sand, concrete and water and increase.
• Most skin cancers start on the head, face, neck, hands and arms which are most often exposed to the sun
• If you want a tan, try a sunless tanning product, but remember to continue to use sunscreen.
• Cover up, wear a hat, wear sunglasses and apply sunscreen.  The Canadian Dermatology Association has a list of recognized sunscreens that can be viewed at this link: http://www.dermatology.ca/sap/safety_resources/sunscreen_faqs/sunscreen_list.html

Try the SunSense Quiz on the Canadian Cancer Society website  http://www.cancer.ca/Ontario/Prevention/Use%20SunSense/Test%20your%20SunSense.aspx?sc_lang=en

A few simple precautions now will help to reduce your skin cancer risk in the future.  Have fun in the sun safely!

Information for this article was obtained through the Canadian Cancer Society and Canadian Dermatology Association websites.

This article was originally published in the Health Matters section of mysudbuy.ca. It is republished here, with their consent. Click the mysudbury logo to the left to visit the Health Matters Page.

Disclaimer: Although care has been taken in preparing information contained in this article, Roberta Heale and mysudbury.ca does not and cannot guarantee the accuracy thereof. Individuals using the information do so at their own risk and shall be deemed to indemnify Roberta Heale and mysudbury.ca  from any and all injury or damage arising from such use