As the weather heats up, so too do the damaging effects of the sun’s rays. May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month — a time to check in on your skin health and protect you and your family from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute researcher Dr. Tim Lee sheds light on who is at greater risk of developing skin cancer, also called melanoma, as well as the latest screening approaches.
While soaking up the rays on a beach or hike can give us a boost of vitamin D and have a positive effect on our mood, too much can lead to premature skin ageing and increase the risk of developing skin cancer. Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) researcher Dr. Sunil Kalia details why we should all be sun-smart.
We know that exposure to the sun’s rays can cause premature aging of the skin, but in some cases it can also lead to an allergic reaction. Dr. Harvey Lui explains how to tell if that rash is from the sun and when to see your doctor.
Rates of multiple sclerosis (MS) are typically higher in northern countries, where sunlight is in shorter supply. These rates have led researchers to consider increased sunlight exposure—particularly in the form of ultraviolet or UV-B rays—as a possible prevention for this autoimmune disease. But the specifics of this relationship remain poorly understood. A new research study by Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute scientist Dr. Helen Tremlett provides more details about the sunlight-MS connection.
Seek shade and avoid the sun in peak hours. Those are two of the common suggestions for skin cancer prevention. But what if you can’t follow that advice? Outdoor workers—in construction, landscaping and road maintenance—can’t pick and choose when they’ll be outside. And they can’t seek out shade in an open worksite. These workers are in a high-risk category for skin cancer, and researchers are starting to focus on prevention strategies for them.
Q: Should I get a base tan before I spend lots of time outdoors this summer?
A: The best analogy for the supposed purpose and function of a base tan is smoking filtered versus unfiltered cigarettes. I suppose filtered cigarettes might be considered marginally better than unfiltered ones, but not smoking cigarettes at all is without a doubt the best scenario.
Is a base tan better than no tan before prolonged sun exposure? I suppose. But it’s better not to tan at all.
Q: I fell asleep on the beach! What’s the best way to care for sunburnt skin?
A: Any good dermatologist will tell you that preventing a sunburn is the absolute best approach. This means preparing ahead of time and wearing sun-protective gear such as hats, high SPF broad-spectrum sunscreen, and choosing the shade over the sun.
The rollout of public health campaigns about sun protection is a sure-fire sign that summer is just around the corner. However, reminders to seek shade and slather on the sunscreen may actually be more effective during the winter, particularly for Canadians most likely to repeatedly develop deadly skin cancers such as melanoma, according to research by Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) scientist and dermatologist Dr. Sunil Kalia and University of British Columbia (UBC) dermatology resident Dr. Danny Guo. Working with Dr.
