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Exposure to solar and artificial ultraviolet radiation is widely recognized as an important and preventable cause of skin cancer.
Check Your Skin Regularly
It is important to be familiar with your skin. Most skin cancers can be cured if caught early enough. Know the location and appearance of birthmarks and moles. Check your skin regularly so you can detect any changes. Only a doctor can tell you if the changes are normal or not.
Reduce Your Risk
It is possible to enjoy healthy outdoor activity while reducing exposure to ultraviolet rays.
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the invisible rays that are part of the energy that comes from the sun. UV radiation can burn the skin and cause damage to skin cells.
There are three basic types of ultraviolet radiation:
Ultraviolet A (UVA) Rays penetrate deeply into the skin and contribute to aging of skin and skin cancer. UVA can pass through glass. Tanning salon devices may emit two to five times more UVA than is found in natural sunlight.
Ultraviolet B (UVB) Rays penetrate below the skin's surface. UVB is largely responsible for sunburn, aging of the skin and skin cancers. UVB does not pass through glass.
Ultraviolet C Rays are filtered out by the ozone layer.
Related Links:
Other Resources:
Check Your Skin Regularly
It is important to be familiar with your skin. Most skin cancers can be cured if caught early enough. Know the location and appearance of birthmarks and moles. Check your skin regularly so you can detect any changes. Only a doctor can tell you if the changes are normal or not.
Reduce Your Risk
It is possible to enjoy healthy outdoor activity while reducing exposure to ultraviolet rays.
- Minimize sun exposure between 11 am and 4 pm
- Seek shade or create your own
- Wear clothing made with a tight weave to cover as much of your skin as possible
- Wear a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection
- Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen and lip balm that protect against both UVA and UVB rays and that have an SPF of 15 or more
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the invisible rays that are part of the energy that comes from the sun. UV radiation can burn the skin and cause damage to skin cells.
There are three basic types of ultraviolet radiation:
Ultraviolet A (UVA) Rays penetrate deeply into the skin and contribute to aging of skin and skin cancer. UVA can pass through glass. Tanning salon devices may emit two to five times more UVA than is found in natural sunlight.
Ultraviolet B (UVB) Rays penetrate below the skin's surface. UVB is largely responsible for sunburn, aging of the skin and skin cancers. UVB does not pass through glass.
Ultraviolet C Rays are filtered out by the ozone layer.
Related Links:
- Health Canada Sun Safety
- Ontario Sun Safety Working Group
- Canadian Dermatology Association
- Canadian Cancer Society
Other Resources:
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