UK Children Have Europe's Highest Skin Cancer Rates

Main Category: Melanoma / Skin Cancer
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology;  Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 05 May 2008 - 2:00 PST

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British parents are confused about the need to protect their children in the sun, despite the fact that children and teenagers in the UK have the highest rates of skin cancers of any European country. That's the warning from the British Association of Dermatologists to mark the start of Sun Awareness Week.

According to a study* on skin cancer incidence throughout Europe, the UK has the highest skin cancer rates both for children, aged 0 to 14, and teenagers, aged 15 to 19.

Furthermore, cases of melanoma - the deadliest type of skin cancer - increased four-fold in UK teenagers over just two decades (1978 to 1997).

Despite this alarming rise, a survey by the British Skin Foundation last year found that a quarter of British parents don't think it necessary to apply sun protection to their children before they go to school in the summer months, even though many schools do not have shade in the playground.

The charity also found that 37 percent of parents buy sunscreens with lower than the recommended SPF30 for their children.

Nina Goad of the British Association of Dermatologists said: "It is frightening that we have the highest rates of skin cancer in our children and teenagers than anywhere else in Europe - even more worrying when you consider that so many parents are still not adequately protecting their children in the sun.

"A four-fold increase in melanoma rates in teenagers, in just 20 years, is nothing short of terrifying.

"Sun Awareness Week starts on a bank holiday as this is when many families will be spending the day outdoors. On the rare occasions that we do get good weather, of course we want to make the most of it - however, often we forget that we need to protect ourselves in the sun, and this is especially true for children whose skin is more sensitive to UV light.

"Sunburn as a child can as much as double the chances of skin cancer later in life, so kids need to be protected with sunscreen, clothing and shade when spending time outdoors on sunny days."

Note

* European Journal of Cancer 2006, Volume 42, Issue 13, Pages 2170-2182 (September 2006)
Skin cancer incidence and survival in European children and adolescents (1978-1997). Report from the Automated Childhood Cancer Information System project E. de Vriesa, E. Steliarova-Foucherb, A. Spatzc, E. Ardanazd, A.M.M. Eggermonte, J.W.W. Coeberghaf

The British Association of Dermatologists runs the annual Sun Awareness Week, this year May 5-11, and the Sun Awareness campaign throughout the summer. Case studies are available for the media to complement feature articles and spokespeople on skin cancer are also available on request.

For more information about skin cancer and Sun Awareness, visit http://www.bad.org.uk/public/cancer/

British Association of Dermatologists