Programs › Health Promotion

› Chronic Disease Prevention Skin Cancer Prevention

The Skin Cancer Prevention portfolio strives to promote healthy living practices and environments through sun safety initiatives that contribute to the prevention of skin cancer.

Major Initiatives:

• Shade Development and Policy Support for Elementary Schools
• Day Care Sun Safety Policy and Awareness Support
• Indoor Tanning is Out campaign (Canadian Dermatology Association)
• Outdoor Workers Sun Safety campaign (Canadian Dermatology Association)

"People between the ages of 6 to 12 and 16 to 24 receive the most sun exposure and are the least likely to protect themselves from the sun.  The risk of sunburn is also highest in these age groups." (National Sun Survey Highlights Report, July 10, 2008).

Sun Safety Practices:

1. Reduce sun exposure especially between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
2. Seek shade or create your own shade
3. Slip! on clothing to cover your arms and legs
4. Slap! on a wide brimmed hat
5. Slop! on a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher
6. Keep babies under one year of age out of the direct sun
7. Tanning beds and sunlamps are not safe ways to tan

Resources:

Health Canada
Babies, Children & Sun Safety

Canadian Cancer Society
SunSense: Preventing Skin Cancer

Canadian Dermatology Association
Indoor Tanning Is Out
Outdoor Workers Program