During National Safe Sun Week, pediatricians are emphasizing the importance of sunscreen to protect children’s skin from sun damage. This week, running from May 20 to May 27, focuses on sun safety, sunscreen use, and skin cancer prevention, particularly for younger children.
MedStar Health has highlighted the importance of sun protection with the release of their safe sun survey results. The survey of 1,000 Americans revealed that only 32% knew that a severe sunburn in childhood poses a higher risk for skin cancer than one in adulthood. The reasoning, according to physicians, is that early skin damage can compound over time, increasing the likelihood of developing skin cancer later in life.
Allison Larson, MD, the physician executive director of Dermatology for MedStar Health, stressed the need for regular sunscreen use, noting that many adults developing skin cancer now were sunburned frequently as children. She recommends applying sunscreen every day and reapplying every two hours during outdoor activities.
The survey also showed a gap in public knowledge about proper sunscreen use. Only 32% of respondents knew the recommended reapplication interval, and just 11% reported regularly wearing sunscreen. Creating a sun protection plan for children, including daily application and reminders to reapply, can help reduce the risk of skin damage.
Respondents indicated that they are more likely to use sunscreen while near water, such as swimming or boating, but less likely during land-based activities like attending sporting events or walking. This discrepancy highlights the need for consistent sun protection regardless of the activity.
To reinforce these practices, MedStar Health will fly planes with reminder banners along beaches from Ocean City, Maryland, to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, this summer. Additionally, sunscreen towers providing free SPF 30 will be installed at major events in the Maryland and Washington, D.C. area.
The survey also found that eight in ten respondents had experienced severe sunburn at least once, with 23% reporting five or more incidents. Awareness of the dangers of sunburn varies by age, with over 80% of those over 40 recognizing that there is no safe sunburn, compared to just over half of those under 40.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), skin cancer remains the most common form of cancer in the United States, with 80,000 to 90,000 new cases reported annually in recent years. This underscores the importance of preventive measures like regular sunscreen use to protect against harmful ultraviolet rays.