Why Children Should be the Focus of Skin Cancer Prevention?

by Tyler P. A Passionate Blogger - Entertainment

The majority of bulk billing skin cancer clinic in Gold Coast for pension, concession and DVA card holders and children under 16 are for patients are adults from the age of 25 upwards. This would suggest that the people to worry about the most are adults, but careful research will show that prevention campaigns should focus on children under the age of 15.

According to WHO, 80 percent of exposure to harmful UV radiation occurs while a person is under 18 years old. This means, by the time they visit a bulk billing skin cancer clinic in Gold Coast for pension, concession and DVA card holders and children under 16 -the greatest damage to the skin has been done in their childhood and teenage years. Although the Coolangatta Medical Centre next to Tweed Heads recommends a yearly skin check many may not do this.

There are however factors to consider when dealing with children and skin cancer. The UN Convention on Rights of the Child demands that children receive extra protection from harmful radiation from the sun since the risk of damage to their skin is higher than in adults. This is because of the following:

· Children have thinner skin which can be sunburnt more aggressively by the hot Australian sun.

· Children are more concerned about playing than being safe so they will spend the greater part of the day exposed to harmful UV radiation.

· It has been proven that early exposure to sun rays can cause sunburn that develops into melanoma later in life.

· Moles usually develop early in life because of exposure to the sun but they can develop into skin cancer later on.

How to Protect Children From Skin Cancer

A study of 133 mothers and how they protect their children from exposure to the sun revealed that despite the knowledge many mothers may have about the harmful effects of sun exposure, many of them still fail to provide consistent protection for their children.

This study concludes that targeted campaigns should focus on particular groups that influence the adoption of particular protective measures for children. Meanwhile, parents can also take the initiative and practice the following preventive guidelines:

· Do not let children play in the sun when the UV is highest- usually the middle of the day- click on the following link to assess UV levels in your area –

· https://www.arpansa.gov.au/our-services/monitoring/ultraviolet-radiation-monitoring/ultraviolet-radiation-index

· Provide children with clothes that cover the skin to give an extra layer of protection and use sunscreen SPF 30+.

· Train the kids from infancy to avoid prolonged time in the sun and to seek shade

Dermatologists also point out that protection from the sun needs to be practiced in all outdoor settings not just when the children are outside playing or at the beach. Even when they are at school, adequate measures need to be put in place to ensure they are protected from the sun as well as when you go out walking with them in the park.

In Conclusion

The children should be encouraged to carry on the different protective measures and in the end, there will be fewer adults with skin cancer.