Summer is just around the corner an being confident in skin protection and sunburn prevention is more important than ever.
Did you know…?
- Non melanoma skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Canadians! (*Canadian Cancer Society)
- Over 80,000 cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in Canada each year, more than 5,000 of which are melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer (www.canadianskincancerfoundation.com)
Moles are often harmless but you should check your skin often and assess for changes and certain characteristics that could be concerning.
Look for the ABCDE’s and if you see one or more, it’s time to see your primary health care provider and have it checked.
A – Asymmetry (If you draw a line down the center, both sides should be the same)
B – Border (The border should be smooth and even)
C – Color (A mole should be only once uniform color)
D – Diameter < 6mm (The width of a mole should be no bigger than a pencil eraser)
E – Evolving (Changes in shape, size, color or other features are concerning)
If you have a mole (s) that changes with any of these features, please call your Provider to book a visit for a skin assessment.
Wearing sunscreen of 30 SPF or greater will help reduce your skin cancer risk if worn properly. Sunscreen should be applied 15-20 minutes prior to exposure and all sun exposed areas should be covered. Look for broad spectrum and water resistant sunscreen, apply generously, reapply every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating. Check expiry dates and be sure it is stored properly ( no extreme temperatures).
Cover up whenever possible; wear a wide brimmed hat, sunglasses, and light UV/UPF clothing, etc.
Seek shade especially during peak sun hours, when sun is the strongest from 10 am to 2 pm. Sit under a tree, a gazebo or an umbrella.
Don’t forget to protect your lips too with a SPF lip balm.
Hope this has been helpful! Have a fun and skin safe summer from SDNPC!