
Ottawa Public Health: Protect Yourself from Ultraviolet (UV) Rays
by Lydia Christ, RN
Skin Cancer/Melanoma
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. 1 The most common way skin cancer develops is from spending time in the sun without sun protection. The harmful UV rays can cause the skin to age more quickly, and cause harm to the eyes. But more importantly, unprotected time in the sun can cause skin cancers like melanoma and non-melanoma, and cancer to the eye or lip.2 Fortunately, skin cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer, and there are many things you can do to reduce your risk.
Did you know? UV exposure increases your risk of skin cancer regardless of your skin colour. People with darker skin have more melanin and a lower risk of skin cancer than those with lighter skin. However, because skin cancer is harder to see on darker skin, people with darker skin are more likely to have skin cancer detected later, when it is more advanced and more difficult to treat or cure. 3
According to Melanoma Canada, you are at a higher risk for skin cancer if you have (or had):
- Severe blistering sunburns before the age of 20
- Skin that tends to burn
- Over 50 moles on your body
- Moles that are atypical with an unusual shape or colour
- Fair or freckled skin
- A personal or family history of melanoma or other skin cancers
- Exposure to UV radiation from the sun or artificial UV radiation from tanning beds or sun lamps. 4
It is important to check your skin regularly (monthly) for any signs of skin cancer. To do this, you need to know what to look for. It’s important to know that skin cancer can also develop in parts of the body that don’t get a lot of sun, like palms, the bottom of the foot, under a nail, on the mouth, the buttock, or on or around the anus or genitals of those with darker skin tones.5 Melanoma Canada provides information on the different types of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, and how to detect melanoma. The American Academy of Dermatology Association provides information on finding skin cancer in darker skin tones. 5
Skin cancer screening is important for everyone, but especially for people who work outdoors since they have more sun exposure. Outdoor workers are 2.5-3.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with skin cancer 3, but when skin cancers are caught early, they are easier to treat and cure. Be sure to consult with a health care professional if you notice any changes in your skin.
Stay Safe in the Sun
There are many things you can do to reduce your risk of getting skin cancer. It’s never too late to start being sun safe, but don’t forget that you are also an important role model for kids! You can role model and teach children sun safe behaviours from an early age.
The Canadian Cancer Society suggests these tips for staying safe in the sun: 2
Check the UV index every day
- The UV index tells you how strong the sun’s rays are – higher numbers mean stronger rays. You can check the UV index on your local weather channel.
- UVA and UVB are two types of harmful rays that come from sunlight and can cause skin cancer.
- UV rays can damage your skin, even on cloudy or foggy days. Reflection from snow, water, and sand can greatly increase UV exposure. 6
Cover up
- Wear clothing that is tightly woven or labelled UV protective.
- Wear a hat with a wide brim.
Wear sunglasses
- Wear close fitting, wrap-around sunglasses with labels that say “UV400” or 100% UV protection. 7
- Sunglasses should be worn by children as well.
Seek shade
- Limit time outdoors when the sun is strongest, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Stay under trees, canopies, or umbrellas with tightly woven fabric.
Use sunscreen properly
- The SPF number on sunscreen is a measurement of how well UVB rays can be filtered by the sunscreen. 8
- Broad spectrum sunscreens block both UVB and UVA rays.
- Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 from the list of recognized sunscreens from The Canadian Dermatology Association and apply a generous amount on skin that is not covered by clothing
- Reapply every two hours.
- Use sunscreen that is also water resistant if you swim or sweat.
Some medicines that are prescribed or available over the counter can make your skin sunburn more easily. To find out if medication you are taking can cause skin to sunburn more easily, check the product information or talk to your pharmacist.
Skin of Colour Dermatology Specialty Clinic
Those living in Ottawa are fortunate that the Ottawa Hospital offers a Skin of Colour Dermatology Specialty Clinic. The clinic specializes in treating patients with non-Caucasian skin types and is one of the first clinics of its kind in Canada. It was founded by Dr. Reetesh Bose, who was concerned about health inequities faced by racialized patients and wanted to improve access to care and treatment outcomes.9 A referral from a health care provider is needed to access the clinic.
Mole Mobile
To address long wait times to access skin specialists across Canada, Melanoma Canada started the Mole Mobile in 2023. The Mole Mobile goes to different communities and dermatologists screen skin and provides referrals for follow up if needed.10 Mole Mobile is coming to Ottawa on September 4th, 5th and 6th 2025. Details will be posted on Ontario Tour Stops. For more information about the Mole Mobile, check out Frequently Asked Questions.
References
- Government of Canada: retrieved on 28/5/2025 from https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/sun-safety/skin-cancer.html
- Canadian Cancer Society: retrieved on 23/5/2025 from https://cancer.ca/en/about-us/stories/2023/how-to-be-sun-safe
- Sun Safety at Work: retrieved on 23/5/2025 from https://sunsafetyatwork.ca/sun-safety-facts
- Melanoma Canada: retrieved on 23/5/2025 from https://melanomacanada.ca/understanding-skin-cancer/melanoma/what-are-the-risk-factors-for-melanoma/
- American Academy of Dermatology Association: retrieved on 29/5/2025 from https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/types/common/melanoma/skin-color
6. Canadian Dermatology Association https://dermatology.ca/public-patients/sun-protection/sunscreen-faq/ Retrieved 23/05/2025.
- The Canadian Cancer Society: retrieved 28/5/2025 from https://cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/reduce-your-risk/be-sun-safe/enjoy-the-sun-safely)
- Reference: Melanoma Canada: Retrieved on 23/5/2025 from https://melanomacanada.ca/blog/sunscreen-what-you-need-to-know/
- The Ottawa Citizen: retrieved on 25/5/2025 from https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/new-skin-of-colour-dermatology-clinic-opens-at-the-ottawa-hospital
- Melanoma Canada: retrieved on 27/5/2025 from https://melanomanetwork.akaraisin.com/ui/molemobile
Lydia Christ, RN, is a Public Health Nurse with Ottawa Public Health
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