As summer quickly approaches, more and more people flock to the lake. The sun is shining around Carlyle, and has brought us several enjoyable days outside. However, the sun's rays are at their strongest during the summer months, so educate yourself and put safety first.
The Canadian Dermatology Association (CDA) has set a goal to educate Canadians this summer on proper sunscreen use. They have been organizing a nationwide Sun Awareness Week, every year since 1989. The purpose of the annual campaign is to increase the awareness of Canadians about the harmful effects of UV radiation and the ways to protect the skin from UV exposure, in order to decrease the incidence of skin cancer in Canada. During National Sun Awareness Week, June 4 - 10, 2012, dermatologists volunteered at free public skin cancer screenings and other events across the country.
This year's Sun Awareness week has come and gone, but the importance of protection and safety has not.
Surveys done by leading sun screen companies such as Banana Boat, show that only 9% of Canadians re apply their sunscreen every two hours. That is less than one in every 10 citizens.
Often Canadians don't use sunscreen at all or forget to apply it to all exposed areas, like the back of the neck and the ears. They may forget to reapply the sunscreen after swimming or heavy exertion. For these reasons, many Canadians end up with painful sunburns.
"If exposure can't be avoided, and you can not be in the shade, it is best to wear long sleeves and pants, which are tightly knit and loose fitting," says Leona Yez, executive director of Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation. "Wearing a wide brim hat as well as re applying a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more every two hours is suggested."
In an attempt to appeal to young children and their parents, CDA created a video to get them thinking about sun safety and give them a sign of when to apply, and reapply, sunscreen. The Play safe in the sun video, follows little Sophie as she spends the day playing outside with her dog Felix and her friend Max.
SPF on sunscreen labels indicates how much longer you can spend in the sun without burning, compared to having unprotected skin. This indication depends on your skin type. If you have fair skin and tend to burn quickly without sunscreen, then an SPF 30 will protect you 30x's longer than being unprotected. Again this is only true assuming you are applying the sunscreen every two hours. Those who tend to burn more easily should use a sunscreen with a higher SPF, especially when out in the sun for long periods of time.
Environment Canada recently released their prediction for UV rays this summer. Midday UV index values will range from moderate (3-5) to very high (8-9) across the country, so proper sun protection is a must.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Canadians. More than 81,300 new cases of non-melanoma skin cancers are expected in 2012. Of the 8,930 new cancer cases in Saskatchewan in 2008, 3,102 cases were skin cancers: 138 cases of melanoma and 2,964 cases of non-melanoma skin cancer.
According to Canadian Cancer Statistics 2012, an estimated 5,800 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed this year and will cause 970 deaths. The lifetime risk of skin cancer for Canadians born in the 1990's is 1 in 6. For those born in the 1960's, it is 1 in 20.
"The thing to remember is where the other two types of skin cancer are not normally deadly like melanoma, they do cause a lot of problems," explained Yez.
"The emotional taxation of being diagnose with a cancer is often hard on a patient. The treatments are not pleasant and leave scaring, as well as cost a lot for the patient's employer while they miss work. Not only is it costly for the employer but also everyone else involved."
So splatter on the sunscreen, wear t-shirts during the peak times between 10 a.m and 2 p.m. and put a hat on your noggin to protect your scalp.
