Transcript Sun_Awareness_Program

Developed by Dr. Lyn Guenther MD FRCPC
With assistance from Erin Dahlke Meds 2008
Sun
Why is the sun good?
Sun
Source of energy
• Keeps us warm
• Gives us light
• Makes plants grow
• Makes Vitamin D
in our skin
•
Sun
Why is the sun bad?
Sunburns!!!
Tans
Occur
because
the sun
injures
the skin
Skin aging from Sun
Wrinkles
• Leathery
• Brown marks
• Fine blood vessels
•
Skin aging from Sun
Eye cataracts
Cataracts can cause cloudy
or blurry vision
Normal vision
W
cataract would see
Weakening of Immune System
Skin Cancer
Most common cancer
• Approximately 75,000
Canadians each year
• 1 in 6 Canadians will develop
skin cancer in his/her lifetime
• May be disfiguring
• May kill you
•
Skin Cancer
•
Preventable
•
Visible
•
Curable
Skin Cancer
•
Preventable
•
Visible
•
Curable
Skin Cancer
•
Preventable
•
Visible
•
Curable
Melanoma
•
•
•
•
•
Asymmetry
Border irregular
Colour varied
Diameter > 6 mm
Evidence of change/Enlarging
Melanoma
•
•
Benign
Malignant
Benign
Malignant
Asymmetry
Border irregular
Melanoma
Benign
Malignant
Benign
Malignant
•
Colour varied
•
Diameter > 6 mm
•
Evidence of change/Enlarging
Skin Cancer
What are the risks for Skin Cancer?
Skin Cancer Risks
•
Sun exposure
In childhood
• Tanning parlours
• Outdoor jobs
•
Blistering
sunburns
•
Sun Damage Adds Up
Each sunburn as
a child can have
long-lasting
effects
• Skin damage may
not show up until
adulthood
•
Personal Skin Cancer Risks
Fair skin that burns
• Red/blonde hair
• Lots of freckles
• Lots of moles
• Family history of skin
cancer
•
How can you prevent skin cancer,
skin aging and sunburns?
Know how to protect yourself
from the sun!
Hats & clothing
•Avoid 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
•Tanning parlors—NO!
•Sunglasses
•Sunscreen
•Shade/shelter/umbrellas
•
Ultraviolet (UV) Light
•
High levels: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Ultraviolet (UV) Light
Snow, concrete and sand reflect up to 85%
Ultraviolet (UV) Light
•
Up to 80%
penetrates clouds
Sun Protection
•
•
Hats:
•
Wide brim at least 7.5 cm
•
Tight weave
•
Protect head and neck
Sunglasses
Sun Protection Clothing
•
Cover most of the body
Long-sleeved shirts
• Long pants
•
•
Tight weave
•
Can’t see through with light bulb
Darker colours give better protection
• Dry T shirts give more protection than
wet ones
•
Sunscreens
Increase protection during
UNAVOIDABLE exposure
DO NOT use to increase time
spent in the sun
•
•
Sunscreens
Broad spectrum (UVB & UVA)
• SPF 15+
• Apply 15-30 minutes before sun
• Reapply
•
Every 2-3 hours
• After swimming
• After perspiring
•
Sunscreens
Most people don’t apply enough
sunscreen
• 1 teaspoon for EACH
arm and leg
• 1/2 teaspoon for
face/neck/ears
•
UVB Sunburn
Protection
Factor (SPF)
Higher Number = Better Protection
Sun Protection
Seek shade
Slip on a shirt
Slap on a hat
Slop on some sunscreen