Natural sunlight is important to maintain good health, but too much sun can
be harmful. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can cause skin cancer and eye
cataracts.
In Canada, sunlight is strong enough to cause skin cancer and premature aging
of the skin. UV rays can get through clouds, fog and haze. Water, sand, concrete
and especially snow can reflect, and even increase, the sun's burning rays.
The risk of skin cancer is higher for people who:
- have light-coloured skin, eyes and hair
- work, play or exercise in the sun for long periods of time
- had several blistering sunburns as a child
- take drugs that make them more sensitive to UV light.
Most skin cancers start in areas that are exposed most often to the sun –
the head, face, neck, hands and arms.
Reduce your exposure to the sun
Protect yourself and your family, particularly between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. when
the sun's rays are at their strongest, or any time of the day when the
UV Index is 3 or more. It's easy to remember – during these hours your
shadow is shorter than you are.
Try to plan outdoor activities before 11 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
Stay in the 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.
Consider the need for shade
when planning areas around your home where you and your family spend time outdoors,
such as backyards, children's play areas, and patios. This may include planting
trees, putting up garden tents, adding an awning to your home or building a
patio roof. Remember to review the sun's path around your home before building
or planting to make sure the structure or trees will provide effective shade.
Wear a hat, sunglasses and protective clothing
Cover your skin to protect it from the sun. Choose clothing that is:
- loose fitting – like a t-shirt
- tightly-woven
- lightweight.
Most skin cancers happen on the face and neck, so these areas need extra protection.
Wear a hat with a wide brim that covers your head, face, ears and neck. Hats
like baseball caps won't give you enough protection.
Sunglasses can help prevent damage to your eyes by blocking a large amount
of UV rays. Keep your shades on and make sure your children wear them too. Choose
sunglasses with:
- even shading
- medium to dark lenses (grey, brown or green tint)
- UVA and UVB protection.
These features can be found in many inexpensive sunglasses.
Wear sunscreen
Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. You need
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 both UVA and UVB rays.
Apply sunscreen generously, at least 20 minutes before going outdoors.
Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, or more often if you've been swimming
or perspiring or if it's rubbed off.
Sunscreens cannot absorb all of the sun's rays. Use sunscreen along with shade,
clothing and a hat – not instead of them. Use sunscreen as a backup in
your sun protection plan.
Protect children
Whatever their age, all children should be protected from the sun. Children
generally spend much more time outside than adults. By teaching your child sun
safety while they're young, you are protecting them now and reducing their
risk of developing skin cancer in the future.
- Keep babies under 12 months out of direct sunlight. Keep them protected
in a covered stroller, under an umbrella or in the shade. This can also prevent
dehydration and sunstroke.
- Protect toddlers and children from the sun, particularly between 11
a.m. to 4 p.m. when the sun's rays are at their strongest, or any time of the
day when the UV index is 3 or more.
- Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher on your children at least
20 minutes before they go outside. Reapply sunscreen often and don't forget
their nose, ears, cheeks and the tops of their feet.
- Send kids to school or to play in protective clothing and a wide-brimmed
hat – baseball caps won't give your child enough protection. Remember
to cover their shoulders and necks as these can easily get burned. Large t-shirts
are good for covering most of their skin.
- Don't put sunscreen around your children's eyes –
it will probably sting. Try to get them to wear a hat. As soon as they can wear
sunglasses, think about getting them a good quality pair of wraparound sunglasses
to protect their eyes. Toy sunglasses may be fun, but they can do more harm
than good.
- If your children are playing in or near water, make sure they wear
a waterproof sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher). Reapply often for good coverage.
Make sure they have dry clothing as wet clothing can lose up to half of its
UV protection.
- Look at providing
more shade in your children's play area in the form of trees and structures.
- Don't use baby oil as a moisturizer before your child goes outside.
The oil will make the effect of the sun stronger and could cause your child
to burn faster.
Additional Resources
For more information about sun protection and skin cancer, call a Canadian
Cancer Society information specialist toll-free at 1 888 939-3333, e-mail
info@cis.cancer.ca or
visit www.cancer.ca.
A parent's guide to sun protection - protecting your family – Health
Canada
Play it a shade safer!: when playing or watching sports – Canadian Dermatology
Association
Sun
– Canadian
Cancer Society
UV
and You - Living with Ultraviolet – Environment
Canada
Vitamin
D - Canadian
Cancer Society
What is non-melanoma skin cancer? – Canadian Cancer Society
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