Skin Cancer Prevention: SunSense Guidelines

1. Skin Cancer Prevention: SunSense Guidelines Enjoy outdoors. Use SunSense guidelines. Presentation prepared by: Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division, Public Affairs, Prevention June 2012 v7

2. How we’re fighting cancer • doing everything we can to prevent cancer • funding research to outsmart cancer • empowering, informing and supporting Canadians living with cancer • advocating for public policies to improve the health of Canadians • rallying Canadians to get involved in the fight against cancer

3. Outline • skin cancer • SunSense guidelines • Vitamin D

4. Facts About Skin Cancer Statistics • Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Canada. • An estimated 81,300 Canadians will be diagnosed with skin cancer in 2012. • 5,800 are melanoma • melanoma is one of the most common cancers in young adults aged 15-29 in Canada* • Skin cancer is mostly preventable. *(Canadian Cancer Statistics – 2010)

5. Facts About Skin Cancer About Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) • invisible rays that are part of the energy that comes from the sun and are also emitted from indoor tanning equipment • major cause of skin cancer • sunburn, suntan, premature aging of skin and cataracts

6. Facts about Skin Cancer UV radiation damage to the skin is only temporary. By resting your skin between exposures, the damage is erased. (true/false) False - Acute effects of a sunburn do go away, and a tan does fade, but UV radiation damage (i.e. to the DNA in skin cells) is cumulative.

7. Facts About Skin Cancer Have you ever been burned? • indicator of skin damage • risk factor for skin cancer • Canadian adults and children - worst burns while taking part in outdoor recreational activities

8. Second National Sun Survey – 2006 Are Canadians protecting themselves from UVR? • Adults over 65 and children 1 – 5 years of age are the most likely to practise sun protection. • Older children (6-12) spend more time in the sun and are less likely to be protected than younger children. (Source: Insight on Cancer: Sun Exposure and Protective Behaviours in Ontario November 2010, v 8)

9. SunSense Guidelines Reduce sun exposure between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. or when the UV Index is 3 or more. The UV Index • measures strength of sun’s rays • range (0 – 11+) • if 3 or more, included in weather forecasts • daily UV Index forecast published by EnvironmentCanada

10. SunSense Guidelines 2) Seek shade or create your own shade • Shade can be found under trees, tents and awnings. • In open areas, such as beaches, bring an umbrella to create your own shade.

11. SunSense Guidelines 3) Slip on clothing to cover your arms and legs. • loose fitting, tightly wovenand light weight

12. SunSense Guidelines 4) Slap on a wide-brimmed hat. • Cover your head, face, ears and neck. • Hats without a wide brim (e.g. baseball caps) do not give enough protection.

13. SunSense Guidelines 5) Slop on a sunscreen with SPF #15 or higher. • Choose broad spectrum which protects against UVA & UVB. • Apply generously. • Cover your nose, ears and tops of your feet. • For outdoor workers or if you are outside for most of the day, use SPF 30. • Apply a lip balm of SPF 15.

14. SunSense Guidelines 6) Wear sunglasses • block UV rays; should have both UVA and UVB protection • even shading with medium to dark lenses (grey, brown or green tint) • children should wear them too

15. SunSense Guidelines 7) Keep babies out of the direct sunlight. • use clothing that covers their arms and legs • add a hat • keep strollers and playpens in the shade

16. SunSense Guidelines 8) Avoid indoor tanning equipment. • Indoor tanning equipment emits UVR, just like the sun. • UVR emitted from tanning equipment can be up to 5 times more powerful than the mid-day sun. • Damage from UVR is cumulative: youth are at great risk. • Indoor tanning causes cancer.* *Source (International Agency for Research on Cancer, The Lancet, Volume 10, August 2009)

17. SunSense Guidelines Know the skin you are in! Early detection of skin cancer • Check regularly for changes • See your doctor if you notice: • birthmark or mole that changes shape, colour, size, surface • sores that do not heal • new growths on skin • patches of skin that bleed

18. Vitamin D What we know so far • good for bone health and may reduce the risk of some forms of cancer • sources: incidental exposure to sunlight, foods fortified with Vitamin D, supplements • You don’t need a tan to get adequate amounts of vitamin D

19. Vitamin D Supplementation – Society Recommendations “During the fall and winter months, due to Canada’s northern latitude, the Society recommends that Canadians consider taking a vitamin D supplement and speaking with their doctor about taking of 1,000 international units (IU).”

20. Summary • Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Canada. • UVR is a major risk factor for skin cancer (solar and indoor tanning equipment). • Use of all of the SunSense Guidelines is the most effective way of reducing the risk of skin cancer. • It is not necessary to tan to get adequate levels of vitamin D.

21. THANK YOU! • Questions • Comments

22. For the most up-to-date information: • visit www.cancer.ca • call the Canadian Cancer Society Cancer Information Service at 1 888 939-3333 Thank you!