THIRD OF KIDS FACE SUN RISK :: Namibia Internet Gateway cc ::

Articles: THIRD OF KIDS FACE SUN RISK

Posted by admin on Monday, May 10, 2004 - 02:20 AM

MORE than a third of parents admit letting their children get sunburnt - doubling their chance of developing skin cancer.
Three-quarters knew youngsters should never be allowed to go red, a new study found. Yet 41 per cent also told researchers they liked to see their children with a tan, with most believing it made them look healthier. The Cancer Research UK findings were released as the charity launched a drive to boost awareness of the dangers of not covering up in the sun. CRUK's Sara Hiom said: "Parents may not always realise young skin can burn very quickly, in as little as 10 minutes. Sometimes, even with the best intentions, we can be caught out." She said children - whose skin is more sensitive - should stay in the shade in the middle of the day, wear a hat, T-shirt and sunglasses and sun cream with a protection factor of 15 or more. In a campaign called Kids Cook Quick, CRUK will send posters of two sunburnt children on a beach to 19,000 nurseries, every GP surgery and Boots pharmacies to raise awareness of the risks. The survey of 200 parents comes as skin cancer cases have more than doubled in 10 years. Each year 65,000 patients are diagnosed with the disease in Britain. About 7,000 cases of malignant melanoma - the most serious form - are spotted, with around 1,600 deaths. Macmillan Cancer Relief will hold awareness days and clinics in shops and hospitals where people can have moles checked for signs of damage. Official Karen Curtis said: "Skin cancer is a growing problem. We want people to take care." And the British Skin Foundation urged sports fans to protect themselves this summer at outdoor events such as Wimbledon.

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