Skin has memory: Why sun exposure as a child may increase your risk of cancer as an adult

Dermatologists emphasize the importance of protecting children's skin from the sun throughout childhood to curb the projected increase in this type of cancer over the next 25 years, which could reach 40% . The reason is that this disease is caused, in most cases, by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Eduardo Nagore, European head of the Euromelanoma campaign at the AEDV's Healthy Skin Foundation , explains it this way: " The skin has a memory , and sun damage manifests itself later. In other words, the damage it receives during these early stages can be a determining factor in developing cancer in adulthood, because that's when the damaged cells develop."

The dermatologist gives a very simple example and compares it to lung cancer prevention : "Teenagers who start smoking will not develop this type of cancer during their youth, but tobacco use will determine their chances of suffering from it in the long term."

This increased risk of developing sunburn reaches the point where a single blistering sunburn in childhood can double the risk of developing cancer as an adult. Exposure to UV rays doesn't just occur at the beach or pool, but whenever they play outdoors, in the park or on the school playground.

Raising awareness about the dangers of the sun

In fact, 25% of the total sun exposure people receive throughout their lives occurs before the age of 18, according to data from the Skin Cancer Foundation. Therefore, as the expert states, "if we protect our skin today, we can slow the rise of skin cancer and protect the health of future generations ."

Children's skin is more sensitive than that of adults. Therefore, it is essential to take extra precautions.

Despite awareness campaigns launched by the Healthy Skin Foundation, 35% of parents rarely or never dress their children in protective clothing when they are exposed to the sun, according to data from the 2021 Study on Sun Exposure and Associated Risks by La Roche Posay and Ipsos.

Protection, the key to prevention

“Children's skin is more sensitive than adults' , which is why it's so important to take extra precautions to protect them from the sun,” says Nagore. Among other recommendations, she advises keeping babies up to one year old in the shade , especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the radiation is most intense.

On the other hand, children with increased sensitivity to the sun due to medical conditions, the use of certain medications ( some increase sensitivity to UV rays) or immunosuppressive treatments, as well as those with a genetic predisposition to skin cancer, should always use sunscreen, regardless of their skin tone.

The problem of teenagers

57% of teenagers believe a tan is attractive. In fact, a high percentage of them don't always apply sunscreen to their face when exposed to the sun. They need to be informed about the dangers of sunbathing, as well as the use of tanning beds, for their skin .

So much so that, according to the Irish Cancer Society , a single session in a tanning booth before the age of 35 can increase the risk of skin cancer by almost 60%. Despite this, its use has increased by nearly 14% in the last decade. Therefore, if teenagers insist on tanning, they may be advised to use self-tanners.