News release

National Sun Awareness Week, Preventing Skin Cancer

Cancer Care Nova Scotia

NOTE: A list of member organizations of Sun Safe Nova Scotia follows the release.


Nova Scotia has among the highest incidence of skin cancer in Canada and in 2008, about 2,400 Nova Scotians will be diagnosed with some form of the disease.

To raise awareness about the importance of skin cancer as a significant health issue and how to protect against it, the Canadian Dermatology Association has organized National Sun Awareness Week from Sunday, May 25 to Sunday, June 1. This year's theme is sun safety during outdoor physical activity.

Dermatologists in Halifax will mark the week by providing skin cancer screenings for golfers at Granite Springs Golf Course, 4441 Prospect Rd., Bayside on Wednesday, May 28 between the hours of 10 a.m to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

"The screenings will remind golfers about the importance of practicing sun safe behaviours to reduce the risk of skin cancer," said Brian Smart, manager of Granite Springs Golf Course. "It will also help raise awareness about how common skin cancer is and the actions individuals need to take to reduce their risk for the disease, both on and off the golf course."

Sun Safe Nova Scotia, a coalition of organizations led by Cancer Care Nova Scotia, works year-long to encourage the development and implementation of policies that support sun safe behaviors.

Their efforts focus on creating settings, which encourage Nova Scotian's to take steps that will reduce over-exposure to the sun and artificial sources of ultraviolet radiation, to prevent skin cancer.

Research shows that 30 per cent of Atlantic Canadians and 68 per cent of children aged 6 to 12 spend at least two hours in the sun between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on a typical summer day. It also indicates that 78 per cent of 16 to 24 year olds, and 46 per cent of 25 to 44 year olds spend unprotected time in the sun.

"In Atlantic Canada our weather is such that, when the sun is shining, we want to get out there and enjoy it because we're never sure how long it's going to last," said dermatologist Dr. Jennifer Klotz, chair of Sun Safe Nova Scotia.

"Our approach to sun safety is a realistic one. We want people to enjoy being outdoors and being active, but we want to provide them with the right supports and information so that they can do so without placing themselves at unnecessary risk for skin cancer."

This year, Sun Safe Nova Scotia is building on last year's launch of Summer Sun Safety, a guide that explains why and how to develop, implement and evaluate a sun safety program in a sport and recreation setting. A summer project co-ordinator is now in place to work with municipal recreation programs and sport associations to adopt sun safety policies for their program staff and participants.

"The lifeguards, camp counselors, program instructors and other recreation staff spend the majority of their time outdoors, and don't have the luxury to stay out of the sun between the peak hours of 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.," said Dawn Stegen, executive director of Recreation Nova Scotia. "We are delighted to have someone dedicated to helping us work toward policies to protect staff and participants from over-exposure to the sun."

In addition to policies, which support sun safety behaviours on a population level, individuals need to take action by:

  • reducing sun exposure, when possible, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., when ultraviolet rays are the strongest
  • wearing protective clothing such as a wide-brimmed hat
  • planning outdoor activities in shaded areas
  • wearing sun glasses with UV protection
  • using a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has UVA and UVB protection with an SPF of 15 or greater
  • avoiding the use of tanning beds

Cancer Care Nova Scotia started Sun Safe Nova Scotia in Spring 2004 to address skin cancer prevention. The coalition, chaired by Dr. Klotz, and supported by Judy Purcell, prevention co-ordinator from Cancer Care Nova Scotia, works collaboratively to reduce skin cancer incidence and mortality in Nova Scotia.


Member organizations of Sun Safe Nova Scotia include:

  • Canadian Cancer Society - Nova Scotia Division;
  • Capital Health;
  • Cole Harbour Boys and Girls Club;
  • Cowie Family Medicine;
  • Dermatology Associates;
  • IWK Health Centre;
  • Massage Therapists Association of Nova Scotia;
  • Meteorological Service of Canada - Atlantic Region;
  • Canadian Physiotherapy Association - Nova Scotia Branch;
  • Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia;
  • West Hants Community Health Board;
  • Pictou County Teen Health Centre;
  • Department of Community Services;
  • Department Health Promotion and Protection;
  • Department of Seniors; and
  • Department of Natural Resources