Spending time outdoors is a great way to have fun with friends and family. Protect yourself and your family from over-exposure to UVR, which is a major risk factor for skin cancer. Healthy, sun-protective practices are essential to reduce the risk of skin cancer-the most common cancer diagnosed in Canada.

Skin cancer is a serious health concern for people who spend leisure time outdoors or have an outdoor occupation. Over-exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) that includes both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) is a major risk factor for skin cancer. How our skin reacts to UVR depends on many factors. One of those factors is the number and type of moles on the body.

Why Moles are an Important Risk Factor for Skin Cancer

There are three types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma, also known as melanoma. Of the three types of skin cancer, melanoma is the least common but is the most dangerous because it can spread to other parts of the body and lead to death. Having many moles or having some large moles is one of the main risk factors for developing melanoma. The total number of moles on the body increases with significant exposure to UVR. The main source of UVR for most people is exposure to the sun or artificial tanning equipment. People who were sunburned before the age of 12 years tend to have more moles on their body and are at increased risk for melanoma.

HOT NUMBERS IN CANADA

78,000: Estimated number of basal and squamous cell carcinomas diagnosed in 2005.

4,400: Estimated number of malignant melanomas diagnosed in 2005.

20%: Estimated percentage of people that will die from their melanoma. 

1 in 77: The lifetime probability of a Canadian male developing malignant melanoma.

1 in 93: The lifetime probability of a Canadian female developing malignant melanoma.

   Is There Such a Thing as a Healthy Tan?

Many people believe that having a tan signals health. This 20th century myth continues to endure into the new millennium. Fortunately, some people’s belief that a tan is healthy and safe is beginning to waver. However, developing new attitudes and beliefs does not happen overnight. For example, it took years for people to accept that seat belts save lives. In time, people will also understand that tanning is unsafe! Skin that is tanned is skin that is damaged by over-exposure to UVR either natural or artificial. Some tanning equipment can give off 5 times more UVA than the sun. Regrettably, various tanning salons promote tanning services to young people in preparation for a prom or graduation party. Tanning owners and operators also target vacationers to get that “all-important base tan”. For people planning a sun-holiday, the fact remains that a tan provides an SPF of only 2 or 3. Tanning does not prevent burning. Over-exposure to all types of UVR causes skin cancer.

What Can You Do To Reduce Your Risk?

Whenever you spend time in the sun there are healthy sun-protective practices than can help protect your skin, eyes, and immune system from hazardous UVR. Indoor workers can take their breaks in a shaded environment or follow general sun safety guidelines when going into the sun. Outdoor workers should consult their health and safety committee for sun safety guidelines that comply with current labour regulations.

In general, when participating in outdoor activities with family or friends, simply relaxing in a favourite chair or working outdoors, follow these suggestions to reduce the risk of over-exposure to UVR:

• Reduce exposure to the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

• Seek shade or create your own.

• Wear a wide-brimmed hat or French Foreign Legion-type hat to protect your face, head, neck, and ears.

• Protect arms and legs with tightly woven, dark, loose-fitting clothing.

• Use a broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with a Sun Protective Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Apply 15-30 minutes before going outdoors. Re-apply often, at least every two hours and after being in the water or doing physical activity that makes you sweat.

• Wear UV protective sunglasses. UVR protective safety glasses are available from safety equipment suppliers and some retail stores. Check to make sure that they protect against both UVA and UVB.

For more information visit

What is a Mole? www.dermweb.org/molemelanoma/whatismole.html

World Health Organization’s Artificial Tanning Sunbeds, Risks and Guidance. http://www.who.int/uv/publications/en/sunbeds.pdf

Canadian Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.ca