Sun Smart

Canadians face concentrated exposure to the sun over a relatively short period of time. From April through September, the sun is most intense. During these months, many of us spend a great deal of time outdoors. However, there are significant health effects of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. Major health problems linked to overexposure of UV are skin cancer, other skin damage, eye damage, and immune system suppression.

Statistics for British Columbia show that skin cancer rates have more than doubled over the past 20 years. British Columbia has the highest melanoma rates in Canada and skin cancer rates continue to increase. More than 100 deaths per year in British Columbia are attributed to skin cancer. Rates for females seem to be leveling off, while the rates for males are increasing.

Increased public awareness of the effects of sun exposure will help reduce skin cancer rates and lower the associated health care costs.

Are you Sun Smart?

About 90% of all nonmelanoma skin cancers can be attributed to UV exposure. But sunlight is important to our physical and emotional well-being. Therefore, the best protection from skin cancer is to minimize exposure. Get outside, be active and enjoy the fresh air but be Sun Smart about it!

Get the facts on safety in the sun - Be Sun Smart!
SEEK out the shade
SLIP on a shirt
SLAP on a hat and sunglasses
SLOP on sunscreen

Find more information on sun awareness and skin cancer prevention from Radiation Protection Services, BC Centre for Disease Control.

Health Files

The BC HealthFiles are a series of fact sheets on a wide range of public and environmental health and safety issues.

For more information on sun awareness and skin cancer, see the BC HealthFiles below.

"Sun-Smart" Your Kids

Ultraviolet Light

More Information on Sun Safety

For additional information on how to protect yourself and others from the harmful effects of the sun, see the Web sites and resources below.

Canadian Cancer Society - Sun

Health Canada - Sun Safety

PDF Format

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Last Revised: November 12, 2009