What you need to know about skin cancer

What to look for in a sunscreen
The Canadian Dermatology Association recommends sunscreens with an ultraviolet B (UVB) SPF of at least 15 to protect against the sun's UVB burning rays and a broad spectrum UVA block. A sunscreen with SPF 15 filters out more than 93 per cent of the UVB in sunlight, while one with SPF 30 filters out 97 per cent -- which means an SPF of 30 is not twice as effective as an SPF of 15.

Here are basic SPF guidelines to follow:
Wear SPF 15 if:
• you rarely burn
• you have daily limited exposure, such as a short walk to the bus stop

Wear SPF 30 if:
• your skin burns easily
• you engage in outdoor activities, such as a half-hour walk at lunchtime

Wear SPF 45 if:
• you have sensitive skin that burns easily
• you spend extended periods of time outdoors; for instance, gardening or running

Wear SPF 60 if:
• you have reactive skin that burns easily
• you're pregnant, are using antiacne medication or have had a cosmetic procedure, such as a chemical peel or microdermabrasion

Where to put sunscreen
Don't forget to put it around your hairline and along the part in your hair; on your ears and eye contours; on the nape of your neck; under bathing suit straps; along your collarbone, shoulders and décolletage; on the backs of your arms, including elbows; along the backs of your hands; and on feet and legs, including the crease behind your knees.

Because sunscreens have chemicals that eventually deteriorate, do not store them in hot places, such as a glove compartment, and do not use them if they are past their expiry date.

Look for products that are noncomedogenic (don't block pores), nonirritating and hypoallergenic.

Skin cancer prevention tips
The good news is that skin cancer is highly preventable. In addition to liberally applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen to all exposed body areas 15 to 30 minutes before going into the sun, here are other steps you can take to decrease your risk.

• Keep babies under a year old out of direct sunlight.

• Try to avoid peak UV exposure, which occurs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. from late spring to early fall and during winter. (Snow reflects up to 80 per cent of the sun's rays, so you could be at extra risk if you spend time outdoors in winter without protection.)

• Use sunscreen on cloudy days because the sun's rays are still harmful.

• Health Canada guidelines recommend that you reapply sunscreen 20 minutes after you go out to maximize protection. If you are swimming or sweating heavily, reapply sunscreen more frequently.

• Head for the shade whenever possible and cover up with clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. (Look for a brim with a dark underside to prevent sun from reflecting back up onto your face.)

• Protect lips with lip balm that has at least SPF 15, and reapply every hour.

• Protect your eyes; wear sunglasses with a UV rating of 100 per cent.

• Avoid tanning parlours and sunlamps.

So what about that mole?
If you have a mole you are concerned about, says Dr. Courtney Rennie, a family doctor in Revelstoke, B.C., carefully monitor its size. “Take a picture of it with a ruler beside it, so you remember how big it is.” If anything changes, see your doctor again. If she's skilled at removing moles, she can remove it and send it off for a pathology test; if not, she can refer you to a dermatologist.

Check your skin for moles once a month. Visit the Canadian Dermatology Association's website for a guide to moles and skin cancer self-examination. Have an annual checkup by a family doctor or a dermatologist.

For more information, visit:
• Canadian Dermatology Association
• Canadian Cancer Society
• Skin Cancer Guide

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