u Your protection against the sun dimishes with age Continued from page 1


The sun’s rays can make you feel good, and a little bit of sunshine a day can increase your levels of vitamin D. But overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can have serious consequences, and the largest organ in your body will pay the price.


Your skin plays an important role in overall health – it regulates body temperature and converts sunshine into vitamin D. It’s your first defence against environmental contaminants and an effective barrier against harmful germs. It keeps water in and helps prevent dehydra- tion.


Krystal Simpson Healthy Living


As we get older, the structure of our skin begins to change. It starts to lose fat and water content and becomes thinner and more delicate. That thinner skin allows the sun’s UV rays to penetrate deeper into the skin. Older skin doesn’t produce as much natural oil either, so it can become rough and dry.


Your body’s ability to re- pair damaged skin also di- minishes with age. Accord-


ing to a study from the University College London, older adults are at a higher risk for developing skin cancer be- cause their skin doesn’t immobilize immune cells as well. Poh-Lin Lim, a clinical nurse specialist for geriatrics and wound care at the Victoria General Hospital, says older skin is more vulnerable, especially if you have com- pounding medical issues like diabetes or circulatory prob- lems. It becomes very important then, says Poh-Lin, to take steps to prevent skin cancer.


Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Canada and accounts for about one-third of all new cases. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, skin cancer also has one of the fastest-rising cancer rates in this country. This may be surprising to some – Canada is not exactly known for its warm climate, and skin cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer. So what’s going on?


Skin cancer is caused by exposure to UV radiation from both the sun and tanning beds. A Canadian survey conducted over the last decade revealed that individuals are spending more time in the sun unprotected. Adults


Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Canada. Take a few moments to learn how to protect yourself.


are spending two or more hours a day in the sun during summer and even longer than that on winter vacations. Despite the increased sun exposure, fewer adults reported wearing sunscreen, protective clothing and/or hats now than reported positively 10 years ago.


In retirement, you’re likely spending more time in the sun than ever before – having joined, perhaps, a senior golf league or afternoon walking group. Some Canadian retirees become snowbirds, moving to warmer climates in winter and increasing their sun exposure exponentially. The increased time spent in the sun unprotected, cou- pled with age-related changes to your skin and immune system, can elevate your risk of developing skin cancer. Here, then, are some important sun safety tips. • Cover up. Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting cloth- ing, preferably a long-sleeved shirt and long pants or a skirt. The light-coloured fabric will reflect the sun and offer some protection against the UV rays. Clinical nurse Poh-Lin also recommends a hat with a wide brim (at least three inches) to shelter your face, neck and ears. Avoid wearing a baseball cap, which exposes the ears, a common site for skin cancer in men. And don’t forget your eyes! Wear sunglasses that provide UV protection. • Limit your time outside between the hours of 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the UV rays are strongest. In other


words, try to get that early morning tee-time! When your shadow is shorter than you are, the sun is at its highest point in the sky and very intense and a good rule of thumb is to seek shade wherever possible in that period. If you have a day at the beach planned, bring a large umbrella to create some shade and make sure to stay hydrated. Older adults are also at a higher risk for heat exhaustion and sun stroke. • Wear sunscreen. Lather it onto any exposed areas of


skin at least 20 minutes before you go outside. If you’re swimming, apply a waterproof sunscreen at least an hour before jumping in the pool, and don’t forget to re-apply when you’ve dried off. The Canadian Skin Cancer Foun- dation recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 30. Pro- tect your lips as well, with a SPF 30 lip balm or lipstick. If you are concerned about sun exposure and skin can- cer, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with your health-care provider for a head-to-toe skin check. For more information on the warning signs for skin cancer and early detection, please visit the Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation at www.canadianskincancerfoundation.com. Krystal Simpson is a communications officer with Victoria Lifeline, a not-for-profit service of the Victoria Hospital Foun- dation.


Some thoughts on early retirement S


o you dream of retiring at age 55. Longevity statistics indicate you will likely live close to another thirty years. That is a long time to do nothing. Here are some things to consid- er as you relax and while away some stress-free mo- ments of your summer va- cation.


Beginning in your early 50s, you’d be wise to start thinking about and engag- ing in activities that you enjoy. You may already be an active volunteer or you may play golf every week. You and your spouse may enjoy extensive travel; I find though that travel isn’t on everyone’s radar. If you and your spouse don’t


men, have few extracurricular activities. Make a list of possible retirement proj-


ects:


Dianne Szelag Transitions


travel a great deal now, you are unlikely to start travelling much in retirement. Indeed, many individuals, especially


• You might volunteer for a charity you support. • You could learn a new activity, physical or cul- tural. • You could start plan- ning a business. • You may want to con- sider part-time work. • Lack of structure in retirement can prove a problem for many retirees. The beauty of retirement is that you do not have to get up at any specific time, but then you may find it’s a problem not to have a rea- son to get up each morn- ing. Plan to build some


structure into your week: you could go for a regular workout or walk. Play golf. Volunteer.


If you have a partner, you will be spend- ing a lot more time together. Chances are, for most of your married life at least one of you has worked outside the home. Subtract sleep, travel time and other away time and you’ve seen your spouse for at most six hours a day. In retirement, that figure can easily double.


Spouses usually have their personal territory at home. In retirement these boundaries are broken – so some retired couples stake out their space. Maybe the kitchen becomes her territory, while the garage becomes his. Outside activities again function to relieve some potential friction.


Many couples have do not even discuss living arrangements pre-retirement. Do you plan to retain your home? Can you downsize to a condo? Do you want to move to a sunnier climate? Do you want to sell your city residence and move to the lake? These important considerations will have a significant impact on your fi- nancial plans. Once your partner is on-


side, you need to relay your decisions to your financial advisor to determine what is feasible.


If your dreams are to live outside of Canada, your retirement spending power could be multiplied. Mexico, Costa Rica, Malaysia and Panama all enjoy far bet- ter weather than we do, and much lower costs of living. Often medical care is also excellent.


Choosing the right locale means do- ing your homework. There are some excellent sources of information for liv- ing abroad. A useful source of informa- tion is The Canadian Snowbird Guide by Douglas Gray. This book is updated on a regular basis. Income tax would be one of the finan-


cial ramifications of this type of move, so do your homework and work with your financial advisor. And dream on this summer, before it’s time to head back to work.


Dianne Szelag is a financial advisor with IPC Securities.


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