One of the main causes of skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet radiation, or UV rays. UV rays are invisible, and are produced by the sun and tanning lamps. Most often, skin cancer is the result of overexposure to the sun.
Most cases of skin cancer are preventable. Canadians can reduce their risk of getting skin cancer by taking some simple but important steps. To avoid the harmful effects of UV rays, everyone should:
The precautions listed above are especially important for babies and children, who are at greater risk than adults because of their more sensitive skin. For more information, please visit:
It’s Your Health - Skin Cancer Prevention
The Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada work in partnership to monitor cancer in Canada. This involves identifying trends and risk factors for cancer, developing programs to reduce cancer risks, and doing research to evaluate risks from the environment and human behaviours. As part of this work, we also promote public awareness about sun safety and the harmful effects of UV radiation.