Dr. Julie Powell
President, Canadian Dermatology Association
Canada may not be thought of as a sunny nation, but skin cancer affects one out of seven Canadians and remains the most common cancer diagnosed in Canada.
With the incidence of melanoma rising across the country, sun-safe behaviours are increasingly important to prevent skin cancer. Timely treatment saves lives, so early detection is also critical. Incidence rates of melanoma have increased in both men and women over the past several decades, growing 2.1% per year in men from 1992 to 2013, and 2.0% per year among women.
Studies show that one-in-three Canadians over the age of 18 got a sunburn last year. Unbeknownst to many, severe sunburns increase the risk of melanoma, so it’s important to keep the following sun-safe behaviours in mind this summer:
- Avoid the sun as much as possible between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. — seek shade or use an umbrella for shade.
- Wear clothing that covers as much skin as possible and a wide-brimmed hat.
- Wear close-fitting wraparound sunglasses with full UVA and UVB protection.
- Use a “broad spectrum” sunscreen with a minimum 30 sun-protection factor (SPF) all year round and reapply after swimming, strenuous exercise, or towelling off.
- Avoid UV tanning equipment and deliberately trying to get a suntan.
