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- Our Children Need Protection from Ultraviolet Radiation from the Sun!!
Our Children Need Protection from Ultraviolet Radiation from the Sun!!
- By Chris Sajnendra
- Published 27 January 2008
- Whats New? , Healthy Children , Ageing Well , Ailments
- Unrated
What does this mean with regards to skin cancer and melanoma?
Between 2 and 3 million non-melanoma skin cancers and approximately 132,000 malignant melanomas occur globally each year. With a sustained 10% decrease in stratospheric ozone, an additional 300,000 non-melanoma and 4,500 melanoma skin cancers could be expected world-wide, according to UNEP estimates.
Currently, one in five North Americans and one in two Australians will develop some form of skin cancer in their lifetime.
Do only fair-skinned people need to be concerned about overexposure to the harmful rays of the Sun?
While it is true that darker skin has more protective pigment, the skin is still susceptible to the damaging effects of UV radiation. The incidence of skin cancers is lower in dark-skinned people; nevertheless, skin cancers do occur and are often detected at a later, more dangerous stage.
The risk of other UV-related health effects, such as eye damage, premature ageing of the skin and suppression of the immune system is totally independent of skin type or color.
So how can we care for our children in the sun?
According to an Australian study, four out of five cases of skin cancer are preventable by sensible behavior. Encouraging children to take simple precautions will prevent both short-term and long-term damage while still allowing them to enjoy the time they spend outdoors.
Parents have an obligation to serve as role models, and it is their responsibility to ensure that their children are protected adequately.
What sensible steps can we take to help protect our future generations?
Here are some practical things we can all do:
• Always keep infants of less than 12 months in the shade and make sure your children:
• Cover up with protective clothing, a hat and sunglasses.
• Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 15+.
• Limit their time in the midday sun.
• Seek shade.
• Avoid sunlamps and tanning parlours.
Shade, clothing and hats provide the best protection for children -- applying sunscreen becomes necessary on those parts of the body that remain exposed like the face and hands. Sunscreen should never be used to prolong the duration of sun exposure.
Remember that Sun protection is not only necessary on the beach or at the swimming pool but applies to all outdoor settings.
Did you know that in many situations sunburn arises because people do not realize the need for protection? Children can be exposed to intense sunlight on the balcony at home, on weekend trips or a visit to the zoo, during breaks at kindergarten or school, and during outdoor sporting activities.
UV levels increase by approximately 8 per cent with every 1000 meters altitude. Although UV radiation is most intense under cloudless skies it may be high even on an overcast day. Many surfaces such as snow, sand and water reflect the sun's rays and add to the overall UV exposure.
Between 2 and 3 million non-melanoma skin cancers and approximately 132,000 malignant melanomas occur globally each year. With a sustained 10% decrease in stratospheric ozone, an additional 300,000 non-melanoma and 4,500 melanoma skin cancers could be expected world-wide, according to UNEP estimates.
Currently, one in five North Americans and one in two Australians will develop some form of skin cancer in their lifetime.
Do only fair-skinned people need to be concerned about overexposure to the harmful rays of the Sun?
While it is true that darker skin has more protective pigment, the skin is still susceptible to the damaging effects of UV radiation. The incidence of skin cancers is lower in dark-skinned people; nevertheless, skin cancers do occur and are often detected at a later, more dangerous stage.
The risk of other UV-related health effects, such as eye damage, premature ageing of the skin and suppression of the immune system is totally independent of skin type or color.
So how can we care for our children in the sun?
According to an Australian study, four out of five cases of skin cancer are preventable by sensible behavior. Encouraging children to take simple precautions will prevent both short-term and long-term damage while still allowing them to enjoy the time they spend outdoors.
Parents have an obligation to serve as role models, and it is their responsibility to ensure that their children are protected adequately.
What sensible steps can we take to help protect our future generations?
Here are some practical things we can all do:
• Always keep infants of less than 12 months in the shade and make sure your children:
• Cover up with protective clothing, a hat and sunglasses.
• Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 15+.
• Limit their time in the midday sun.
• Seek shade.
• Avoid sunlamps and tanning parlours.
Shade, clothing and hats provide the best protection for children -- applying sunscreen becomes necessary on those parts of the body that remain exposed like the face and hands. Sunscreen should never be used to prolong the duration of sun exposure.
Remember that Sun protection is not only necessary on the beach or at the swimming pool but applies to all outdoor settings.
Did you know that in many situations sunburn arises because people do not realize the need for protection? Children can be exposed to intense sunlight on the balcony at home, on weekend trips or a visit to the zoo, during breaks at kindergarten or school, and during outdoor sporting activities.
UV levels increase by approximately 8 per cent with every 1000 meters altitude. Although UV radiation is most intense under cloudless skies it may be high even on an overcast day. Many surfaces such as snow, sand and water reflect the sun's rays and add to the overall UV exposure.
