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Canadian Cancer Society:
SunSense guidelines and your risk of skin cancer
SunSense guidelines and your risk of skin cancer
It is possible to enjoy healthy outdoor activities while in the sun.
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Reduce sun
exposure between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. The sun's rays are at their strongest
between these hours. It's easy to remember during these hours your shadow
is shorter than you are. If you can, plan your outdoor activities before
11 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
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Seek shade
or create your own shade. When you are outside especially between 11
a.m. and 4 p.m. try to stay in the shade. Be prepared for places without
any shade by taking along an umbrella. With an umbrella you can create
shade wherever you need it.
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SLIP! on clothing
to cover your arms and legs. Covering your skin will protect it from the
sun. Choose clothing that is:
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loose fitting
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tightly woven
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lightweight
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SLAP! on a
wide-brimmed hat. Most skin cancers occur on the face and neck. This area
needs extra protection. Wear a hat with a wide brim that covers your head,
face, ears and neck. Hats without a wide brim, like baseball caps, do not
give you enough protection.
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SLOP! on a
sunscreen with SPF (Sun Protection Factor) #15 or higher SPF 30 if you
work outdoors or if you will be outside for most of the day. Look for broad
spectrum on the label. This means that the sunscreen offers protection
against 2 types of ultraviolet rays, UVA and UVB. Apply sunscreen generously,
20 minutes before outdoor activities. Reapply often at least every 2
hours.(and after swimming or exercise that makes you perspire). No sunscreen
can absorb all of the sun's rays. Use sunscreen along with shade, clothing
and hats not instead of them. Use sunscreen as a backup in your sun
protection
plan.
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Keep babies
under one year out of the direct sun. Babies need extra protection because
their skin is very sensitive. Keep your child's stroller, playpen or carriage
in the shade.
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Tanning parlours
and sunlamps are not a safe way to tan. Tanning salons do not give you
a safe tan without burning. No tan is a safe tan. A tan is evidence of
sun damage. Just like the sun, tanning lights and sun lamps emit ultraviolet
rays that can cause sunburn, aging skin and increase your risk of skin
cancer. The strength of the ultraviolet rays (especially the UV-A type)
may actually be higher in tanning beds than in sunlight. Sun damage doesn't
go away ... it adds up!
Did You Know?
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Year-round sun protection is important
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The sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation can penetrate many types of clothes.
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It can also go through automobile and residential windows.
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It can damage your eyes, contributing to cataracts, macular degeneration, and eyelid cancers.
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When you're on snow or ice, your face and eyes are at almost twice the risk of UV damage because of reflected glare.
http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/index.php
Download the
Radicool Sun Safety PDF (143KB) to read more about Radicool Sun Safety.
Skin Cancer Foundation (USA)
Protect Yourself and Your Family All Year Round
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Do not sunbathe.
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Avoid unnecessary sun
exposure, especially between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., the peak hours
for harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
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When outdoors, use
sunscreens rated SPF 15 or higher. Apply them liberally, uniformly, and frequently.
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When exposed to sunlight,
wear protective
clothingsuch as long pants, long-sleeved shirts, broad-brimmed
hats, and UV-protective sunglasses.
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Stay away from artificial tanning devices.
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Teach your children good sun protection habits at an early age: The damage that leads to adult
skin cancers starts in childhood.
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Examine your skin head to toe at least once every three months.
The Weather Network
For daily UV forecasts visit the weather network by clicking the link below:
http://www.theweathernetwork.com/features/uv/
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