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.

The most important thing we can do for our children as related to skin cancer is not assume that they never make mistakes. We must begin now to protect them and teach them to protect themselves so that their skin does not get damaged young. Studies show that the average person get fifty percent of their lifetime’s sun exposure by the time they are a mere eighteen years old.

Exposure to Sun

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.

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.

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 single 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 sun burnt 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.

Skin Cancer Children – Prevention

• 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 like 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.

It is suggested that children use a SPF , sun protection factor, of no less that thirty. They should play outside only if they have their sunscreen on, with any exposed areas, those not covered by their clothes, well coated. Children should wear a hat to protect their heads from ultraviolet exposure.

Remember that even when you are in a pool with your child, especially the youngest ones who play in wading pools that the water does not protect them and they must wear sunscreen then as well. For water to offer any protection you must be submerged at least a foot.

What about our adolescent children? They are far more worried about looking and acting cool than understanding any serious health risks for later in life can be based on what they do as teenagers. This is the time they begin to express themselves. They take direction from their friends, and want to impress each other with how they know more than their parents.

They sunbath, so they can look more attractive to the opposite sex. This is the time in their lives when the things that are important to them are what are happening that day not thirty years in the future. Yet research has proven that if in childhood the child has five or more serious sunburns it greatly increases their later risk of skin cancer.

Tips For Skin Cancer Children

You’ll need to work with your teenagers to convince them of the advantages of sunscreen use and wearing hats. Appeal to their vanity. Explain that without taking these precautions they risk, even at their age, peeling skin, blistering from a severe burn, or freckling. Suggest a sunscreen that has a moisturizer to improve their skin’s appearance. And if the only way to get them to wear a hat is to spend a couple of dollars extra on that funky one she wants, the one you’d never be caught dead in. Remember, you don’t have to wear it, but it will protect your child.

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.