A new report highlights that parents still underestimate the impact of children’s long exposure to the sun.
The summer vacation officially begins this Thursday, July 7, 2022. For this occasion, the National Cancer Institute has just carried out a reminder campaign on the risks of children’s long exposure to the sun. Via of a new study carried out by BVA, the Institute notably underlines that sunburn occurring during childhood creates skin cancer in adults. Bad news, parents do not seem to be aware of the danger of UV radiation on their offspring. Indeed, we learn that very few of them (12%) identify childhood as a period of greatest risk for the skin in the event of exposure to the sun.
The dangers of the sun on children
We also learn that 45% of parents believe that there are no periods of exposure to the sun that are more dangerous than others. However, the study explains that “until puberty, the skin is thinner and the pigmentary system immature, which makes it more vulnerable to the carcinogenic effects of UV rays”. The National Cancer Institute then points out that playing sports outdoors, gardening or walking in direct sunlight represents risks for children’s skin.
The results also show that protective actions are not correctly identified, with 58% of parents in particular believing that applying sunscreen with a high factor effectively protects children from the sun; or even 39% who think that sun protection allows you to be exposed to the sun’s rays for longer.
Recommendations to follow for the well-being of children
Faced with this situation, the Institute reminds you that getting in the shade, wearing covering clothes, a hat and sunglasses, as well as not exposing yourself to the sun between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. are the most effective protection. They thus reduce the risk of developing skin cancer in adulthood. Finally, the National Cancer Institute declares that “the regular application of a high index sunscreen, on uncovered areas, is recommended in addition to these modes of protection”.
