Effects of Early Sun Exposure

There is a direct relationship between sun exposure and most skin cancers. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight are invisible. But they penetrate the skin and damage it. A sunburn is real damage to your skin. Doctors know that sun exposure can cause skin cancer. Research shows that getting sunburned at a young age increases your risk of skin cancer as you age.

Even one blistering sunburn during childhood or adolescence can nearly double your chances of developing melanoma. The more sunburns you have, the higher your risk of skin cancer. This includes melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer. In fact, five or more sunburns more than double the risk of melanoma.

Other forms of skin cancer include basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. However, skin cancer is the most preventable and treatable of cancers.

Beyond sun exposure, your chances of developing skin cancer also depend on other factors, including physical traits. For example, if you have red hair and fair skin, your risk of skin cancer increases. This is also true if you’re more susceptible to sunburn in general or if you have a higher number of moles, according to the study.

Path to better health

Parents must commit to protecting children from sun exposure. They also teach their teenagers a lot to continue to protect themselves from the sun in a smart way. Daily sun protection is key, not just while the kids are at the pool or beach.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers these tips to protect your child from the sun:

Made in the shade. Try to avoid being outside in the middle of the day, when the sun’s ultraviolet rays are strongest. That’s when the sun does the most damage. If your child has to be outside during this time, try to keep him in the shade of a tree or umbrella.

Cover up. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants provide good protection from the sun. The tighter the weave, the better. Darker clothing may offer better sun protection. You may also consider looking for clothing that offers a factor of UV protection.

Grab a hat. A hat can offer great sun protection. Choose one with a wide, circular brim. This will not only protect your child’s face, but also protect their neck and ears. If you choose a baseball-style cap, be sure to remember to use sunscreen on your child’s ears and neck.

wear sunglasses. The sun not only threatens your skin, it also threatens your eyes. UV rays can cause cataracts later in life. Look for kids’ sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays.

Remember the sunscreen. If your child is going to be outside, always wear sunscreen. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a sunscreen that has at least 30 SPF. A 30 SPF sunscreen will block 97% of the sun’s UV rays. Maximize protection by applying sunscreen at least 30 minutes before your child is to go outside. After a couple of hours, or if you spend time in the water, be sure to reapply sunscreen.

Things to consider

There is no such thing as a healthy tan. Tanned skin is damaged skin. Even if you don’t get sunburned, you’re still damaging your skin and increasing your risk of skin cancer.

Tanning beds are no safer than being in the sun. People who use tanning beds are at great risk of developing skin cancer. In fact, some reports estimate that the risk increases by 75% for people who use a tanning bed before the age of 35.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, more people develop skin cancer from tanning than develop lung cancer from smoking.

When to see a doctor

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. The sooner you detect it, the easier it will be to cure it. Warning signs include:

• A mole or any brown spot that changes over time (changes in color, texture, or size)
• Moles or spots that appear after adolescence
• Growths on the skin that are colored (black or brown) or that are translucent and increasing in size
• Any skin growth or mole that itches, crusts, or bleeds
• Any skin growth or mole that hurts

An easy way to remember to check your skin is the ABCDE method:

• A is for asymmetry: Half of the mole does not match the other half.
• B is for the irregularity of the border: The edges are irregular, notched, or blurred.
• C is for color It varies from one area to another.
• D is for diameter: Although melanomas are usually larger than 6 mm (the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed, they can be smaller.
• E is for Evolve: A mole or skin lesion that looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape, or color.

Questions to ask your doctor

• Is sunlight a good source of vitamin D?
• Is there a way to predict if I will develop skin cancer?
• Can I reverse the damage caused by UV exposure?
• Can genetics reduce my risk of skin cancer?
• Does a family history of skin cancer put me at higher risk?
• How often should I self-monitor for skin cancer?
• What should I do if I suspect that a spot on my skin might be cancerous?
• What is the treatment process for skin cancer?

Resources
American Academy of Dermatology: Skin Cancer: Everyone is at Risk
American Cancer Society: Skin Cancer
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Basic information about skin cancer
National Institutes of Health, MedlinePlus: Sun Exposure

Copyright © American Academy of Family Physicians

This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and for more information on this topic.