Alberta Prevents Cancer is part of the Alberta Cancer PreventionLegacy Fund (ACPLF) and is supported by Alberta Health. Throughthe ACPLF, Alberta Health Services is working with Albertans in theircommunities, workplaces and health system to transform cancerprevention and screening. Our vision is an Alberta where mostcancer is prevented.
Learn more at albertapreventscancer.ca
Funding for the content is provided, in whole or in part, by Alberta Health.
Provision of funding by Alberta Health does not signify that this projectrepresents the policies or views of Alberta Health.
To learn more, visit besunsible.albertapreventscancer.ca.
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. About one in seven of us will develop it, saysDr. Laura McDougall, the medical and scientific director of the Alberta Cancer PreventionLegacy Fund (ACPLF) at Alberta Health Services. Together, we can help reduce the risk factorscontributing to skin cancer
PHOTOGRAPHED BY EWAN NICHOLSON
Q: What percentage ofmelanoma is avoidable?
A: Ultraviolet radiation (UVR)from the sun and tanning bedsaccount for about 82 per centof melanoma in the province.
By working with businessesand communities, we canhelp ensure more Albertans,especially outdoor workers,are protected from the effectsof UVR exposure such as skincancer and sunburn.
Q: What is the risk ofskin cancer for outdoorworkers?
A: Outdoor workers are upto 3½ times more likely todevelop skin cancer thanindoor workers. But we haveproven strategies to lowertheir risk.
Q: What are they?
A: Shade combined with
effective sunscreen and
clothing can protect anyone
from the sun. Checking the
UV Index daily will indicate
the strength of the sun’s
rays—the higher the number,
the stronger the rays and the
more important it is to be
protected. Wherever possible,
outdoor workers can also try
working in shaded areas.
Q: What can employersdo to protect theirworkers?
A: Employers can provide
protective equipment—
shade structures, sunscreen,
protective clothing, hats
and sunglasses—along with
education and training. We
are working to reduce the
sun-related health problems
of outdoor workers through
our Be Sunsible program.
Q: How will this benefitall of us?
A: Developing sun safetypolicies within health andsafety programs is aneffective way to protectoutdoor workers. And saveon healthcare spending. Forevery $1 spent on skin cancerprevention, a workplace cansave up to $7.80 in healthcarecosts. |a
SUN EXPOSURE
IS A WORKPLACE
ISSUE
