Sun Protection Should be a Year-Round Priority for All Canadians

NANAIMO, BC, Oct. 10, 2013 /CNW/ - The Canadian Dermatology Association (CDA) wants to make sure sun protection continues to be a priority for all Canadians this winter. Even though summer is finished, sun safety and regular skin exams should be part of your routine, which is why the CDA and local dermatologists are hosting a public skin cancer screening today at the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre.

Many Canadians associate sunscreen with the hot summer weather because it prevents painful sunburns, but wearing sunscreen during the winter months is equally as important to prevent early signs of aging, and most importantly, help prevent skin cancer. The sun's UV rays have the same damaging effects on your skin all year long, which is why the CDA is asking Canadians to rethink how they use sunscreen.

Our skin's needs change from season to season and a skincare regime with sunscreen can help with this transition.  What many Canadians may not realize is sunscreen can actually double as a moisturizer, making it easy to incorporate into your regular routine as moisturizers are an essential part of winter skincare.

The best way to keep young, healthy looking skin is to have good sun safety habits 365 days a year. Photoaging is the premature aging of the skin (sun spots, loss of skin tone, deep wrinkles and sagging skin) caused by repeated unprotected exposure to the sun's UV radiation. These UV rays continue to affect the skin on your face and hands, even though the rest of your body is covered. In fact, UV levels increase by 10% to 12% with every 1,000 meters of increase in altitude, meaning that skiing in the winter can actual cause more damage to the exposed areas of skin.

The most important reason of all to wear sunscreen is to prevent skin cancer. This type of cancer is the most widely diagnosed form of cancer in Canada and worldwide. In British Columbia, there are an estimated 950 new cases of melanoma being diagnosed in 2013 and 140 preventable deaths, which works out to 2 B.C. residents dying every week from melanoma. Luckily, skin cancer is preventable and highly curable when found early. In order to find skin cancer early, you need to know what to look for; this is why the CDA and local dermatologists host free, public skin cancer screenings across Canada each year, to educate the public on the importance of  sun safety and how to do regular skin-checks as part of a healthy lifestyle.

The benefits of wearing sunscreen all year long will help prevent sunburns, will prevent or prolong the signs of photoaging and most importantly it will help prevent skin cancer. By adding sunscreen to your winter skincare routine, you are making the choice to have beautiful skin now and in years to come.

Event information:
Public skin cancer screening
Nanaimo Aquatic Centre
Little Jack Room A/Multipurpose Room, Ground Floor
12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

All media are welcome to attend. Any questions can be directed to Laura Craig at 613-716-2098.

About CDA
The Canadian Dermatology Association, founded in 1925, represents Canadian dermatologists. The association strives to provide easy access to the largest, most reliable source of medical knowledge on dermatology. CDA exists to advance the science and art of medicine and surgery related to the care of the skin, hair and nails; provide continuing professional development for its members; support and advance patient care; provide public education on sun protection and other aspects of skin health; and promote a lifetime of healthier skin, hair and nails. By doing so, CDA informs and empowers both medical professionals and the Canadian public.

To learn more about what the work CDA does visit www.dermatology.ca or join the conversation on www.Twitter.com/CdnDermatology or www.Facebook.com/CdnDermatology.

SOURCE: Canadian Dermatology Association

Laura Craig, Communications Coordinator
Cell: 613-716-2098  | [email protected]