Children and Melanoma: What Parents Need to Know
Skin cancer is becoming more common around the world, and melanoma affects a growing number of adolescents and young adults. In this situation, it’s natural to wonder if your children are at risk and how you can protect them. Find out everything you need to know so you can take the most effective preventive measures.
What is the risk?
Melanoma is quite rare in children ages 0-18. It accounts for about 3% of all cancer cases in children. At the same time, the number of young people affected by this condition is growing. A new study has revealed that over the last 35 years, the number of children diagnosed with this condition has increased by 2% per year.
This study has shown that the majority of children diagnosed with the condition were in their teens. More than 90% of all diagnosed patients were Caucasian. The most vulnerable group is considered to be girls between the ages of 15 and 19.
The most common cause of this and other types of skin cancer is frequent exposure to UV radiation for long hours. Children who have suffered severe sunburn on more than one occasion and those who experience this problem frequently are at increased risk of developing the condition in the future. The same applies to children using tanning beds and lamps. The danger of these tanning methods must be well understood. They are considered the leading cause of melanoma in girls, including adolescents.
Prevention measures
The steps parents should take are simple and will help reduce the risk of melanoma. The main one is to keep your children in the shade when the sun is strongest. Older children should be taught to stay out of the sun when their height exceeds the height of their shadow.
When children go outside, they should use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and preferably 50. Sunscreen should be applied to all parts of the body, not just those directly exposed to the sun. It should be applied even on cloudy days. It should be applied about 30 minutes before going out and every 2 hours afterward if the child is in the water or actively playing. Children should wear wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses when they go out.
Last but not least, you should regularly check your child’s skin for abnormal growths and notify a doctor immediately. Regular screening for melanoma is recommended for adolescents.