Summer Sun Safety

Now that the warmer weather is here, many of us are spending more time enjoying the outdoors. Whether you’re heading to the beach, going for a walk, or just relaxing in your backyard, it’s important to keep sun safety top of mind. Research has shown that people with immune-mediated inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis have a higher baseline risk of skin cancer compared to the general public.^1,2 Annual skin checks with your health care provider are recommended. Additionally, applying sunscreen to all exposed skin while outdoors helps protect against skin cancer.

The Canadian Cancer Society offers the following sunscreen recommendations⁴:

Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher
Use about 2-3 tablespoons of sunscreen to cover your body, and 1 teaspoon for your face and neck
Reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours
Apply sunscreen before makeup or insect repellent
Check the expiry date to ensure the sunscreen is still effective

For people taking medications that increase sensitivity to the sun, a sunscreen of SPF 50 or greater is often recommended. For such medications, the pharmacy will place a sun warning sticker on the medication label.

Sun safety is a small step that can make a big difference. Studies have shown that daily use of sunscreen can reduce the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) by about 40% and lower your melanoma risk by 50%.⁵By taking a few minutes to apply (and reapply) sunscreen, you can enjoy the outdoors this summer while protecting your health. Be sure to apply the sunscreen 15 minutes before going outside to allow it to absorb in advance of sun exposure.

Janine Fletcher is a 4^th-year pharmacy student from the University of Waterloo and is currently completing a rotation at Charlton Health. She is passionate about improving health outcomes for patients with chronic conditions and is on track to become a licensed pharmacist this year.

References

Rabah S, Kang X. Assessment of Skin Cancer Risk in Autoimmune Diseases: A Multivariate Analysis Using a National Inpatient Database [abstract]. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2024; 76 (suppl 9). https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/assessment-of-skin-cancer-risk-in-autoimmune-diseases-a-multivariate-analysis-using-a-national-inpatient-database/. Accessed July 6, 2025.
Singh S, Nagpal SJ, Murad MH, et al. Inflammatory bowel disease is associated with an increased risk of melanoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2014;12(2):210-218. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2013.04.033
Vaengebjerg S, Skov L, Egeberg A, Loft ND. Prevalence, Incidence, and Risk of Cancer in Patients With Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Dermatol. 2020;156(4):421–429. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2020.0024
Canadian Cancer Society. Spotlight on sun safety. Updated 2025. Accessed July 6, 2025. https://cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/reduce-your-risk/be-sun-safe/spotlight-on-sun-safety
Skin Cancer Foundation. Sunscreen. Accessed July 6, 2025. https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/sunscreen/#:~:text=Studies%20show%20that%20regular%20daily,melanoma%20risk%20by%2050%20percent.