Sunscreen: Not your only layer of defence

It's easy to head out into the summer heat thinking you're protected because of all that sunscreen you've slathered on. You've judiciously checked the labels and decided on a sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30 or more. Slap it on and soak up the sun without fear of burning.

But Canadian dermatologists say you could be setting yourself up for trouble. There are 75,000 new cases of skin cancer in the country every year.

"We estimate that from one in five to one in seven people will develop a skin cancer during the course of their lifetime," Vancouver dermatologist Dr. Jason Rivers told CBC News. "Unfortunately, the incidence rates have more than doubled in the last 20 years for all types of skin cancer."

"Further, in North America, someone dies from a skin cancer every hour, so this is obviously a problem that we have to deal with because it is largely preventable."

Rivers says one of the biggest mistakes people make about sunscreen is they don't use enough of it. If you buy one tube in the spring and still have some left at the end of summer, you're not using enough, unless, of course, you've spent the whole summer indoors. Rivers says a 120-millilitre tube of sunscreen is only good for about four or five applications.

You should be applying approximately a shot glass full of sunscreen about half an hour before you go outside. You should also re-apply sunscreen every few hours, especially if you're swimming, riding, running or playing other sports.

Another problem is that many people don't purchase the proper kind of sunscreen. You should get a sunscreen that offers broad protection from both UVA and UVB rays.

There are three types of UV radiation:

• UVA: Not as powerful as UVB, but these rays penetrate more deeply into the skin. UVA rays are responsible for contributing to photodamage and wrinkling of the skin, premature aging, and skin cancer.
• UVB: Primarily affects the skin's outer layers and is thought to be the primary cause of sunburn, skin aging and skin cancer. UVB rays tend to be more intense during the summer months.
• UVC: strongest, most dangerous rays. But they're normally filtered out by the ozone layer and do not reach the surface of the Earth.

Rivers says dermatologists recommend using a sunscreen at least Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or more. But that sunscreen should also offer protection against UVA rays.

SPF numbers were introduced in 1962 to measure a sunscreen's effect against UVB rays. Those numbers start at two. Currently, the maximum protection a sunscreen offers is an SPF rating of 70. In European Union nations, the maximum is 50+.

A sunscreen that carries an SPF rating of 30 will protect you from 96.7 per cent of the UVB rays your body could be absorbing. Apply a sunscreen with an SPF rating of 50 and you're protected from 98 per cent of the UVB rays your body could be absorbing. Go beyond 50 and the increase in protection value is marginal.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expected to establish new rules for sunscreen labelling that includes UVA ratings. The rules will include a four-star UVA rating system with one star representing low UVA protection and four the highest protection available. The new labels are expected to be in place by October 2010.

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause premature aging and at worst, skin cancer. Artificial sources of UV radiation, such as sun lamps and tanning booths, can also cause skin cancer.

Ultraviolet light can cause skin cancer in a variety of ways. Each time skin is exposed to the sun and becomes tanned or burned, damage is done to individual cells and to DNA.

Some cells die and some repair themselves by getting rid of the damaged DNA. Cells that cannot repair themselves eventually become defective. UV radiation affects the body's immune system by making it more difficult for the system to destroy defective cells. Defective cells that are not destroyed can slowly grow and produce a tumour.

Sunscreen not the only answer

But Rivers cautions that the evidence for sunscreen preventing skin cancer is somewhat weak.

"This is why we don't underscore it as a first-line protection against the sun," he said. "What we do know is that there is some laboratory evidence and also some epidemiological evidence that sunscreens will help to reduce the risk of squamous cell carcinoma."

Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer. It's caused by chronic overexposure to the sun and causes small tumours on the face, neck, bald scalp, hands, shoulders, arms and back. But it is highly treatable when identified early.

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer in Canada. It is also the least dangerous but requires treatment as without it, the cancer will continue to grow. The growing tumour will destroy surrounding skin tissue and eventually cause disfigurement.

Basal cell carcinoma is caused by exposure to UV radiation. You're at greater risk if you are fair-skinned with blond or red hair and you usually burn when you're out in the sun.

Malignant melanoma is a less common but more dangerous type of skin cancer. If it's found early, the cure rate is about 90 per cent. But if it's left to grow too long, it will eventually reach the blood stream or the lymphatic system and invade other organs, which can lead to death.

Melanoma can begin as a small brown or black freckle-like spot on your skin's outer surface. A change in the shape or colour of an existing mole or spot on your skin could also signal the development of melanoma. Rivers says there's no evidence yet that sunscreen will protect you from developing malignant melanoma.

Confusion over vitamin D

Because of fear of cancer, you want to protect yourself from the sun's damaging rays, but you've also heard that exposure to the sun is the best way to get your daily dose of vitamin D. The Canadian Dermatology Association says most Canadians get enough vitamin D in the spring, summer and fall from their exposure to the sun in their normal daily routines.

The Canadian Cancer Society says it's not prepared to change its recommendations on exposure to the sun, as "skin cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in Canada." The agency recommends vitamin D supplements if you're not getting enough of the sunshine vitamin.

"Sunscreen shouldn't be used as a way of prolonging your time outdoors so you can get that great golden tan," says Rivers. "A golden tan means that you've been roasted." 

Here are some tips on protecting your skin and your health.

• Use a broad-based sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection with a minimum Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 30 (look for the CDA logo — Canadian Dermatological Association).
• Re-apply sunscreen periodically throughout the day, and frequently if you're exercising in the heat.
• Reduce your exposure to the sun, particularly between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun's rays are at their peak.
• Wear clothing that protects as much skin as possible.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat and wraparound sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection.
• Look for shaded areas during outdoor activities.
• If you are taking antibiotics or acne medication, be especially cautious because they can increase your risk of sunburn.
• If you use self-tanning creams, remember that you must still apply sunscreen. Your skin may be darker, but that doesn't mean you're protected.
• Check your daily local forecast for "UV ratings" and cover up accordingly.