Protect Your Children from Melanoma This Summer

Melanoma, a sometimes deadly form of skin cancer, is on the rise, and is the number one cause of cancer death in women aged 25-30 and the third most common cancer in 15 to 39 year olds. In the United States, 1 in 85 people will develop melanoma during their lifetime, and although it is much more common in adults, prevention begins during childhood. As a parent, it is your duty to protect your children from this type of cancer, and keeping them safe from the sun while they are young can dramatically lower the likelihood they will develop melanoma later on.

Melanoma is a type of malignant tumor that originates in the cells which produce melanin, the pigment that colors our skin, eyes, and hair. One of the major risk factors for developing melanoma is severe sunburns before the age of 20, especially in people with fair skin and eyes. Children have thinner skin than adults, and are at a greater risk of burning more quickly and more severely than adults. Even children with dark skin or who tan easily are still at risk for melanoma, but this risk factor is easily prevented by limiting the time your children spend outside in the sun, the use of appropriate clothing, and frequent and proper use of sunscreen.

One way to protect your children from the sun is to dress them appropriately when they are outside. Babies and children should always wear brimmed hats when outdoors to protect the backs of their necks and the sides of their faces. Baseball caps provide little protection from the sun and from melanoma as they leave the neck and ears completely exposed. Clothing with a tighter weave offers more sun protection than other garments, and some clothing now sold offers special protection from harmful rays by containing SPF just like sunscreen. It is important to make certain children are dressed in dry clothing as much as possible, as wet clothing stretches and can lose up to half of its UV protection.

Sunscreen should still be used at all times when children are exposed to the sun for any length of time, as clothing is only partially protective against sun exposure, and children can become burned from prolonged sun exposure even when fully clothed. The SPF number listed on bottles of sunblock is only a guideline as to how long a person can remain exposed to the sun without burning, based on that person's skin type and complexion and the amount of sunscreen applied. SPF of 15 or greater should always be used, and it is best to apply sunscreen that offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Sunscreen should always be applied before heading out into the sun, should be put on thickly, and needs to be reapplied every two hours at a minimum. Waterproof sunblock is generally preferred, as it will not sweat off or come off while playing in water. It is important to remember, however, that even proper use of sunscreen does not mean it is safe to leave your children exposed to the sun all day.

The sun is the most powerful, and the most dangerous, during the middle part of the day. Limit exposure during the hours of 11 and 3, and make sure your children are wearing sunscreen at all times when outdoors. While it is true that melanoma is uncommon in children, skin cancer takes years to develop, and most of the damage to the skin that causes melanoma takes place during childhood. If caught and treated early, melanoma is nearly 100 percent curable. If left untreated, it can spread to other organs, increasing the likelihood of death. Taking precautions for your children now can help to prevent them from ever having to deal with this potentially fatal form of skin cancer.