As with many health issues, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. When it comes to skin cancer, one ounce of prevention (sunscreen) reapplied every two hours is the ideal. With summer in full swing, the experts from The Skin Cancer Foundation want to remind you that stopping the skin cancer epidemic starts with our children.

Skin cancer rates in the United States are increasing at epidemic levels, according to the foundation.

In fact, one blistering sunburn in childhood more than doubles a person's chances of developing melanoma later in life. And spending a lazy afternoon in the pool during the heat of the day doubles your exposure to the sun’s harmful and burning rays, said Dr. Elliott Rustad, a Lincoln dermatologist.

The majority of skin cancers are almost always preventable with good sun protection habits. Children should be taught from an early age to be aware of the problems associated with sun exposure and the need to use sun protection, said Dr. Perry Robins, president of The Skin Cancer Foundation.

“By 2010, melanoma rates are projected to rise to 1 in 50 Americans,” Robins said. “The most important factors contributing to the rise in melanoma rates are exposure to ultraviolet rays (UVR) in early childhood, sunburns and intermittent increased exposure to the sun.”

Using sunscreen — regardless if it has an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or 50 will not stop a tan, Rustad said. It will help prevent skin damage — although no sunscreen effectively blocks the infrared rays, which is why the best protection is limiting outdoor exposure during peak sun hours, Rustad said.

And skin cancer will not just pop up in spots that have received the most sun exposure.

“I am taking off more than one melanoma a week — and almost all of those are in sun-protected or covered-areas,” Rustad said.

He’s removed melanomas from a child as young as 8 months of age, and is seeing a lot more skin cancer in high school and college-age students — especially if they have worked as lifeguards.

People need to know their family medical histories, and they need to keep a close eye on their skin — particularly if there is a mole.

“The mole that is present at birth has a 15 percent incidence of turning into melanoma — more than any other mole,” Rustad said. “The earlier the mole appears and the more it stays childlike — flat, dark brown or irregular borders — the more dangerous it is. And it has very little to do with sun exposure.”

That said, sun exposure and sun burns do increase the rate of skin cancer and do cause permanent damage to the skin.

“It’s so important to know that the most damage is done early in life,” Rustad said. “The younger the child, the more damage they can get from the sun. They don’t tan readily, and their skin is thinner.”

From the time our children are babies on through their formative years, parents are key to teaching kids the right sun protection techniques.

The foundation recommends the following methods of protection for different age groups.

Babies

Babies' skin is extremely sensitive and can burn easily. In fact, babies under 6 months of age should be kept out of the sun.

Follow these tips for babies older than 6 months:

* Take walks early in the morning or late afternoon and use a stroller with a sun-protective cover.

* Dress babies in loose-fitting outfits that cover arms and legs. Clothing made with a UPF of 30 or higher offers the best protection. Cabana Life (www.cabanalife.com) offers a variety of sun protective clothing for children. The company donates a portion of its sales to The Skin Cancer Foundation.

* Choose a hat that protects the baby's face, neck and ears. A baby who wears a hat during the first few months will get used to having it on.

* Sunglasses are not very practical for a young baby. To protect your baby's eyes, seek the shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

* Apply a broad-spectrum, SPF 15-plus sunscreen to areas left uncovered, such as baby's hands.

* While in the car, shield the baby from direct sunlight coming in through the side window with UV-blocking window film.

Toddlers

Protecting toddlers from the sun requires a little more thought and effort. It is important not only to educate your child, but your child’s caregiver as well.

* Make sure your child seeks the shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Check the outdoor area where your child plays to make sure there is adequate shade protection.

* A broad-spectrum, SPF 15- plus sunscreen should be applied every morning, 20 minutes before leaving the house. Keep sunscreen in the bathroom where children brush their teeth, and eventually it will become routine.

* Two tablespoons of sunscreen must be applied every two hours and more often if your child is swimming or sweating.

* Children should wear sun protective clothing — including shirts, hats and sunglasses — as their primary line of defense against UVR. Make sure your child wears a wide-brimmed hat, long-sleeved shirt and pants during prolonged periods in the sun.

* Hats and headbands can help absorb perspiration and prevent sunscreen and sweat from stinging eyes.

* Make sure sunglasses offer both UVA and UVB protection.

School-age children

Most of the sun protection methods used for toddlers and young children should be applied to elementary school children:

* Wear sun protective clothing every day, especially if you live in a warm climate.

* Apply broad-spectrum, SPF 15- plus sunscreen to exposed skin.

* Reapply sunscreen after 2 hours of UVR exposure and continue to reapply.

* Be sure your child wears a hat during recess.

* Reach your child to look for shaded areas in which to play.

* Teach your child to wear sunglasses while outside.

Children should enjoy the outdoors safely. Learn how to protect your children, teach them how to protect themselves and tell others about the importance of sun protection.

For more information, visit www.skincancer.org or call (800) SKIN-490.

Reach Erin Andersen at 473-7217 or eandersen@journalstar.com.

Sunburn treatment

If you get burned:

* Get out of the sun.

* Apply cool wet packs (not ice).

* Seek medical attention within minutes or hours to stop blistering and sunburn pain.

“If you wait until the next day, it starts a chemical reaction that is very destructive,” said Lincoln dermatologist Elliott Rustad.

Only prescription medications are effective in stopping the pain, the blistering and in preventing scarring and permanent damage, he said.

Over-the-counter drugs and ointments are not effective in stopping damage from sunburn, Rustad said.

 

Mole warning

Beware of moles if:

* It’s been present since birth.

* Is dark brown or becomes darker or larger.

* Has an irregular margin or spotty pigment that is not uniform throughout.

* It becomes red or shows irritation.

* It develops a dark, red mahogany color (which is extremely dangerous)

* “Never say, ‘Let’s watch this and see what happens,’”said Dr.  Elliott Rustad, Lincoln dermatologist.

When in doubt have it removed, he said.

“People don’t understand that early diagnosis is the only thing that saves people’s lives with melanoma. Radiation and chemotherapy don’t help a bit,” he said.