When it comes to reducing the risk of developing skin cancer, childhood and adolescence are critical periods. The amount of sun exposure a person has in the first 20 years of life significantly determines the likelihood of developing skin cancer, research shows. Just one case of blistering sunburn as a child or teenager has been found to double the risk of developing melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, later in life.
Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, with a prevalence roughly double that of the United Kingdom and the United States, due to the intense sun. In fact, melanoma is the most common cancer in Australians aged 20 to 39 and is so common that it is known as Australia’s “national cancer” (in the US it is the third most common cancer in this age group). But in response to this threat, the country has also developed some of the world’s most effective skin cancer prevention measures – which hold powerful lessons for other countries dealing with increasingly hot summers.
Because early sun protection can make such a difference, one key message from Australian experts is for families to be aware of the dangers of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and take a few simple protective steps.
“Ultraviolet rays kind of ‘kill’ the DNA in healthy cells,” says Justin Osborne, program manager at Cancer Council Victoria in south-east Australia. “Cells will repair themselves when the UV exposure goes away, but if you’re constantly hitting them with UV, there’s no chance they’ll repair. Then skin cancer develops.” Globally, skin cancer was diagnosed in 6.7 million people in 2019 and killed 118,000.
Thin skin needs protection
Although most of the sunscreen guidelines apply to both adults and children, protecting babies from sunburn requires a different approach. Sunscreen should never be used on a baby who is six months or younger, and a child under one should not be directly exposed to UV rays, according to the Cancer Council. Instead, proper protection for babies includes light, loose clothing that allows airflow, thick shade, and a soft hat that won’t pose a choking hazard.
“A baby’s skin is very thin and sensitive, and babies tend to suck things up, which means they can absorb the sunscreen,” says Osborne. “Babies and young children are particularly susceptible to UV damage, so it’s really important that they are well protected when the UV index is three or higher.” The World Health Organization’s UV index measures the strength of ultraviolet radiation from the sun for a given day and location and ranges from 0 (low) to over 11 (extreme). A higher number means that the potential for skin and eye damage increases, and also that it can happen more quickly.
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