Skin cancer & Children
Skin cancer is a direct result of the skin’s exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. It is therefore extremely important that you protect you child’s skin from the sun as this will reduce their chance of developing skin cancer later on in life.
It is essential that children learn about skin cancer and avoiding it as earlier as possible due to the fact that they are exposed to the sun in early childhood. The more that a child is exposed to the sun, the more likely they are to have permanent skin damage or even skin cancer.
The first times children experience sun exposure, they are considered to be at risk for melanoma, which is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It can take just one sunburn that blisters to double the risk of developing a melanoma later on in life. So, the good thing to remember here is if we can prevent our children’s skin becoming sunburnt and reduce their exposure to the sun as much as possible, we are able to decrease their chances of developing skin cancer later on in life.
Those who burn easily in the sun and/or lack the natural pigmentation in their skin, have fair hair, green or blue eyes and/or have freckles and are the most at risk for skin cancer. However skin cancer can develop in those with African or Hispanic backgrounds as well as those with dark complexions.
Those children who have a family member with melanoma history must pay particular attention to protecting themselves when in the sun. Today, more and more teenagers are being diagnosed with skin cancer then ever before and frightfully this includes melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.
Children and teens often try to be independent and make their own minds up on anything and everything. Children and teens can be guided though if you practice good sun protection regimes when your children are small. Teach them to avoid tanning salons and explain the reasons why.
There are a variety of methods you can use to protect your child from the sun’s harmful rays and sunburn, such as:
Try to keep plan activities outdoors before 11am and after 3pm as the UV is at its strongest during this period in the middle of the day, hence the skin is more likely to burn.
Don’t forget to take precautions on cooler and cloudy days as UV rays cannot be seen, felt nor are they hot. It is possible to get sunburn when the weather is not hot.
Always dress your children in protective clothing and broad brimmed hats during the summer months to protect their face, neck and ears. This will reduce their exposure to the harmful UV rays by 50%.
Protective clothing such be close woven fabrics which will not allow the sunlight to seep through.
Set up activities in the shade so that children feel encouraged to play there. UV rays are able to reflect themselves onto your child to hat and sunscreens are still important even in the shade.
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