"People don't think as much about protecting their skin from the sun in the winter because it's cold," says Dr. Cheryl Peters, a senior scientist at both BC Cancer and the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC). "But when it comes to skin cancer, it's not about the temperature. It's about ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The risk of getting skin cancer by exposing your skin to the sun's UV rays can still be significant in winter."
Skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells, and it's the most prevalent form of all cancers in Canada. Here are a few ways you can protect yourself this winter.
Whether skiing, boarding or snowshoeing, playing in the snow can be an excellent way to stay active in the winter and get a healthy dose of fresh air. But even though it's cold, the snow can help the sun give your skin a nasty burn.
"You're really getting a double dose of UV radiation when it snows," says Dr. Peters, "One direct dose from the sun and another indirect dose from its reflection off of the snow."
"Make sure to cover up as much as possible, including your head, nose, hands and feet. Protect your eyes with UV-blocking sunglasses or goggles. And use sunscreen of at least SPF 30 on any exposed skin."
Winter is a time when many British Columbians head south, which can be a great way to beat the winter blues. Just don't forget to pack your sun sense.
"There are plenty of ways that you can protect yourself," says Dr. Peters. "But there are quite a few misconceptions about sun protection that prevent people from taking the necessary precautions."
- Minimizing the time you spend outdoors when the sun is most intense. Remember, this varies depending on where you're vacationing! Check the UV Index (you can find it in most weather apps) and be sure to protect yourself when the UV Index is 3 or higher.
- Covering up as much as possible by wearing long sleeves and long pants with a tight weave.
- Wearing a wide-brimmed hat; the brim should be as wide as the palm of your hand and cover the full circumference of your head.
- Wearing UV-blocking sunglasses or goggles. For more protection, look for wraparound styles that protect both the front and the side of your eyes.
- Applying sunscreen to any exposed parts of your skin; don't forget to use a lip balm with at least SPF 15 as well!
Some travellers go to tanning salons before leaving for a sunny vacation thinking that it will protect their skin from sunburn. And some gym clubs even offer tanning beds with memberships. Dr. Peters strongly advises against them.
"Using tanning beds can cause skin cancer. A tan is an indicator that your skin is damaged and is not worth the risk for the very minimal sun protection a tan provides. It's much better to protect your skin by practicing good sun sense."
Exposing your skin to a small amount of UV light can contribute to the body's process of vitamin D synthesis. However, you don't have to spend hours in the sun to get enough vitamin D.
"It's not necessary to get a lot of sun or to use a tanning bed in order to get adequate levels of vitamin D," says Dr. Peters. "Casual outdoor exposure of about 10-15 minutes on a regular basis should be enough for the average person."
If you don't spend much or any time outside during the day you may not be getting enough vitamin D. Dr. Peters says a balanced diet is a preferred and safer way to get your vitamin D. But should the average British Columbian take vitamin D supplements?
"There isn't much evidence that supplementing with vitamin D is needed for most people, but some people do still take them; I try to eat a well-balanced diet instead."
Last but not least, it's important that people continue to pay close attention to the look and feel of their skin over the winter. Skin cancer is a cancer that we can actually see, so keeping track of any abnormalities in your skin can help to identify it early. If you notice anything strange, get it checked out by a health professional.
Learn more about sun safety.
