Child sunburn 'doubles risk of skin cancer'

03 Jul 2008

Many parents are not putting enough sunscreen on their children, it has been claimed.

Dr Richard Turner, consultant dermatologist at Oxford's Churchill Hospital, told the Daily Mail that a two-year-old's face needs at least one tablespoon of suncream and a ten-year-old needs up to two.

He explained that children are exposed to greater doses of harmful UV rays than adults, as it has been estimated a child gets a quarter of their lifetime's exposure by the time they are 18.

"Children spend more time outdoors and have long summer holidays," said Dr Turner, adding: "Sunburn in childhood can double the risk of skin cancer, causing deep-seated damage that only becomes apparent much later as skin cancer can take years to develop."

He recommended using a 30SPF sunscreen on children and up to 40SPF on babies and toddlers.

The British Association of Dermatologists recently revealed that the UK has the highest skin cancer rate for children aged between zero and 14.

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