Use sunscreen on your kids because this will turn out more than beneficial, as it could save their lives.
A study that was conducted in Australia revealed that the use of sunscreen during childhood could reduce the risk of developing melanoma which is the deadliest form of skin cancer by 40% in early adulthood.
The risk of melanoma increases with age but the American Cancer Society says that melanoma is one of the most common forms of cancers in younger adults, mainly women.
The researchers from the University of Sydney have collected and analyzed data from about 1,700 people with ages between 18 and 40 years old.
The experts analyzed those who were using sunscreen regularly in their childhood and compared the results to those who barely used any.
The results have been published in the famous JAMA Dermatology.
“The association of sun exposure and sunburn with melanoma risk, particularly in childhood, is well established and this study showed that regularly using sunscreen was protective against the harmful effects of sun exposure,” states Anne Cust, lead researcher and director of the Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Research group at the University of Sydney’s School of Public Health.
A not so bright future
Research shows that 2 in 3 Australians will be diagnosed with some type of skin cancer by the time they turn 70 years old.
It’s also estimated that in 2018 more than 91,000 people from the U.S. will be diagnosed with melanoma.
In the last ten years, that rates for melanoma cases have been rising on 1.5% each year claim the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Main recommendations to avoid the radiations from the sun
- Stay in the shade in the midday hours.
- Wear clothing that protects your legs and arms.
- Wear a hat to protect your face, head, ears, and neck.
- Wear sunscreen that protects you from both UVA and UVB rays, and that has sun protection factor of at least 15.
- Avoid indoor tanning at all cost.
I have been blogging and posting articles for over eight years, but my passion for writing dates back in 2000. I am especially enthusiastic about technology, science, and health-related issues. When I’m not researching and writing the latest news, I’m either watching sci-fi and horror movies or checking out places worth visiting and building deep memories for later in life. I believe in empathy and continually improving myself.