Focus On Pediatrics-Teach kids to be sun-savvy and cancer-free
Prevention lessons begin at a young age
Sun exposure, heredity, and fair skin type all can place a person at higher risk for skin cancer. Sunburns in childhood also play a role. "Researchers are finding now that the most common forms of skin cancer do have a link to sun exposure in childhood," says Elizabeth Kubiak, MD, chief of dermatology at Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento (CA) and a spokeswoman for the Sacramento field office of the American Cancer Society.
What do parents need to know to reduce the risk of their child developing skin cancer in adulthood? First, they need to be sunscreen-savvy, says Kubiak. Parents should apply sunscreen to children as young as six months old and teach kids to apply it as soon as they are able.
The best method is to work with their children putting their sunscreen on in the morning when they brush their teeth to make it a part of an everyday routine. In that way, they will get used to using it and not see it as something extra to do in the summer. Using sunscreen every day is critical," says Kubiak.
Sunscreen should be applied regardless of season or weather. It is possible to burn on a cloudy day, and temperature is not a critical factor. Also, sunscreen should be applied 30-60 minutes prior to sun exposure for maximum protection. In that way, the skin has time to absorb the lotion.
Reapply waterproof sunscreen every few hours during periods of intense sun exposure. It also should be reapplied after swimming.
Parents must remember that sunscreen is only one measure of sun protection. Therefore, children should avoid the sun during the peak hours of the day between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Have children play in the shade, but remember that they will still get reflective light.
The Atlanta-based American Cancer Society is promoting the Slip! Slop! Slap! rule, which has been very successful in Australia, a country with the highest skin cancer rate in the world. The slogan stands for slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen with a SPF of 15 plus, and slap on a hat. The catchy slogan should help children remember how to protect their skin from over exposure to the sun, says Kubiak.
Another way to get kids to wear their sunscreen is to remind them that too much sun will give them freckles. While the threat of skin cancer is not a deterrent to kids, the chance of having too many freckles is, says Kubiak. n
For more information about sun safety to prevent skin cancer, contact:
• Elizabeth Kubiak, MD, Chief of Dermatology, Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento, and spokeswoman, American Cancer Society, 1765 Challenge Way, Sacramento, CA 95815. Telephone: (916) 446-7933.
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