Effective Strategies for Reducing Skin Cancer Risk in Youth

Concerned about keeping your child safe from skin cancer?

This should wake you up…

Five or more blistering sunburns between the ages of 15 and 20 increases melanoma risk by 80%.

Blistering burns at ages when our kids are learning to drive and wear crop tops? That’s simply not okay.

And here’s the thing…

Most parents feel like they’re doing a great job protecting their children against cancer. But the truth is that there are significant holes in the way we think about skin cancer prevention in kids.

But you’re in luck. If you follow these 4 strategies, you can significantly lower your child’s risk of ever developing skin cancer.

What we’re about to cover

Why Are Young People At Risk?
The Sun Protection Gap That Nobody’s Talking About
Building Smart Sun Safety Habits
Professional Skin Checks: The Secret Weapon

Why Are Young People At Risk?

Hold up.

Before we get to how to prevent skin cancer, let me tell you something that might blow your mind…

Melanoma accounts for 3% of all pediatric cancers in the United States.

This is not even the most concerning part.

The fact is that 40-50% of all UV damage to the skin is obtained before the age of 20.

Fifty percent.

Half of the damage your child is going to suffer from UVA and UVB rays will be done before they’re legally able to drink a beer.

Which is why prevention is so critical. It has to start early.

The tricky part is that you won’t even know that damage is accumulating.

Sun damage is not like a broken arm. You don’t see it or feel it building over time. Instead, you might go years without noticing anything is wrong until that one day…

Melanoma.

This is the precise reason why skin cancer detection services are so important.

Professional skin checks by trained experts like those at the MoleMap skin cancer clinic can identify changes in moles, suspicious spots and irregularities in the skin.

It’s easy to understand why families wait to seek help. The only signs and symptoms of melanoma are visible changes on the skin.

Of course, most people wait until they see something wrong before taking action.

The Sun Protection Gap That Nobody’s Talking About

Ok. Let’s get into this…

So you know all those schools surveys about sunscreen and kids?

You know, the ones where they ask students how often they wear it?

Apparently, only 17% of students wore sunscreen during outdoor sports and activities. Meanwhile, 60% of students reported applying sunscreen while at the beach or pool.

Go back and read that one more time.

Guess what? Parents and kids think sunscreen is just for “beach days”.

They’re not applying it on:

School sports practice
Walking home from school
Backyard playtime
Neighborhood bike rides

Do you know what causes 86% of melanomas?

UV radiation from the sun.

Sunscreen should be part of our daily routine. Isn’t sunscreen use kind of like brushing our teeth?

But most families treat it like it’s only for vacations.

The harsh reality is this…

When it comes to sunscreen, the sun doesn’t discriminate. It’s the same at the beach, at school, in the backyard and in the car.

The fact is that your child is exposed to sunlight every single day. Some days more than others of course.

That’s why the best sunscreen for kids and adults alike, is the one they’ll actually wear.

Building Smart Sun Safety Habits

You ready for the secret ingredient to great sun protection?

The thing that really makes skin cancer prevention work?

It’s not that difficult, but it does require you to create some good habits.

Here are the top 4 strategies for making sun protection second nature in your family.

Make Sunscreen Non-Negotiable

Sunscreen should be applied every day, regardless of the weather.

Here are 4 tips to make it happen:

Apply every morning, as part of the regular getting dressed routine
Keep a bottle in the bathroom, the car, and the sports bag
Choose a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ formula that your kids will actually wear
Don’t start the habit only for “sunny” days

Sunscreen use has to become automatic.

Dress For Protection

Clothing is the first line of defense against the sun’s harmful UV rays.

Check out these smart choices for protecting kids:

Long sleeve shirts for extended outdoor periods
Wide brimmed hats that provide shade to the face and neck
UV protection clothing for sports and beach days
Sunglasses that block 100% of UV rays

Clothing won’t work unless you choose the right things.

Make sure you read the labels for UVP or SPF ratings and select styles that your kids will actually wear.

Unlike sunscreen, you don’t have to reapply clothing every few hours.

Seek Shade During Peak Hours

Between the hours of 10AM and 4PM the sun’s rays are the strongest.

Make sure your kids know to:

Take regular breaks in the shade
Seek out indoor activities whenever possible
Use umbrellas and canopies at outdoor events
Schedule outdoor sports for early morning or late afternoon

The sun’s rays are powerful, even on cloudy days.

In fact, up to 80% of UV rays will penetrate through clouds. So shade is a good idea any time of the day.

Teach Them Young

Kids that are taught sun safety early in life are much more likely to continue those practices as they get older.

Start with teaching the importance of sun protection in ways they’ll understand.

Put on your own sunscreen, bring the kids hats and sunglasses and make it fun.

Get them to pick out their own hats and shades. Lead by example. They’re watching.

The earlier you start, the easier it is to create lasting good habits.

Professional Skin Checks: The Secret Weapon

Ok. Here’s something you might not have considered…

Regular professional skin checks are a key component to preventing skin cancer.

You see, early detection is critical.

Professional skin checks should be performed by trained experts using digital mapping technology to monitor each and every mole on the body. This allows professionals to pick up on the smallest changes in the skin.

For families with skin cancer in their history or kids with lots of moles, this is a game changer.

When To Schedule Screenings

Annual skin checks are recommended for children with:

Fair skin that easily burns in the sun
A family history of skin cancer
Multiple or atypical looking moles
A history of blistering sunburns

In reality, any child can benefit from a baseline skin screening.

The fact is that the risk of your child developing skin cancer in their lifetime is now 1 in 5.

Annual screenings may be necessary in high risk families.

What Happens During A Check

Skin checks are quick and painless.

A dermatologist examines the entire body and documents any moles or spots of concern. They photograph areas of concern and track changes over time. They will educate you on what to monitor at home.

The entire process takes less than 30 minutes.