Now that the summer holidays are here, the HSE National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) and Healthy Ireland are reminding parents and carers of the importance of protecting children’s skin and to be SunSmart throughout summer. Playing and spending time outdoors is good for us all but it is important to protect skin when outside in the sun.
Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in Ireland and the number of cases are set to almost double by 2045. The good news is that the majority of these cases could be prevented by protecting ourselves from ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. This is particularly important for children and young people whose skin is more vulnerable to damage from UV and this damage is cumulative, adding up over a lifetime.
Sunburn during childhood increases the risk of getting skin cancer as an adult.
- If your child is badly sunburned more than 3 times before the age of 20, they more than double their risk of skin cancer as an adult.
- A 2019 study reported that nearly 90% of 10 to 17 year olds in Ireland said they have experienced sunburn in their lifetime.
- Around 74% said they experienced sunburn at least once during the past year.
Dr Triona McCarthy, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, HSE NCCP says: “Playing and spending time outdoors is such an important part of childhood but it is crucial that children are protected and safe in the sun. Children copy those around them and learn by imitation. If parents adopt sun protection behaviours, the children will be more likely to do the same. Make SunSmart part of your daily routine especially from April-September when the intensity of UV radiation from the sun is greatest, even when it is cloudy”.
The SunSmart 5 S’s can protect children’s skin and avoid getting sunburn, even when it is cloudy:
- Slip on clothing: Cover skin as much as possible e.g. wear long sleeves, collared t-shirts, clothes made from close-woven material that does not allow sunlight through.
- Slop on broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30+ for adults and 50+ for children which has high UVA protection and is water resistant. Reapply regularly.
- Slap on a hat with a wide brim: Protect your face, ears and neck.
- Seek shade: Sit in cover of trees to avoid direct sunlight and use a sunshade on your buggy or pram. Keep babies and children out of direct sunlight.
- Slide on sunglasses with UV protection: Guard your eyes from harm.
For children up to 1 year old, it is best to keep them in the shade and wear clothing that covers their skin when outdoors. It is better to protect babies up to 6 months old from sunlight by using shade and clothing rather than sunscreen. You may choose to use sunscreen sometimes on small parts of baby’s skin. If you do, choose a sunscreen that is for babies such as sensitive or toddler sunscreen.
Professor Anne Marie Tobin, HSE National Clinical Lead for Dermatology and Consultant Dermatologist at Tallaght University Hospital says: “By protecting children and young people’s skin when they are outdoors you can reduce their risk of developing skin cancer in years to come. But, using sunscreen alone is not enough. No sunscreen offers 100% protection from UV rays and it should be used alongside other protective measures such as clothing and shade. It is also not enough to use these protection measures on sunny days alone. Even on cool or cloudy days, UV rays from the sun can still reach our skin without us realising it.”
The NCCP and Healthy Ireland have also teamed up with Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps to support the Healthy Ireland SunSmart campaign. As children participate in Cúl Camps across the country this summer, coaches are being trained in skin cancer prevention and how to introduce the SunSmart 5 S’s to children in a fun way. The coaches can then act as positive role models for children attending the camps and encourage them to protect their skin by following the SunSmart 5 S’s when outside.
For more information and to learn how to protect yourself and your family this summer visit the SunSmart hub at www.hse.ie/sunsmart and check out #SunSmart on social media.
Last updated on: 07 / 07 / 2023
