(Underestimated) risks of children in the sun: what to do to better protect them

Yasmina Kattou, edited by Solène Leroux 06:18, July 06, 2022

Eight out of ten parents do not know that it is dangerous to expose a child to the sun, yet 80% of skin cancers are linked to excessive exposure to the sun.

With more than 100,000 new cases each year, skin cancers are the most common in France.

"Childhood sunburns lead to adult skin cancers."

This is one of the phrases of the somewhat shocking campaign by the National Cancer Institute and the Ministry of Health, launched on Tuesday at the start of these holidays, to warn about sun exposure for the little ones which can be dramatic.

@Institut_cancer launches its #PréventionSolaire campaign "Shadow is the coolest place in summer!"

which warns of the dangers of exposure to the sun during childhood https://t.co/mOiwxZQQjU To avoid the cancers of tomorrow, it is today that we must act #RestonsAlOmbrepic.twitter.com/eyNIclfunO

– National Cancer Institute (@Institut_cancer) July 5, 2022

Only 12% of parents measure the risk incurred by children, according to a BVA study conducted for the institute.

Misconceptions about the most effective protective actions to protect children persist.

>> Find Europe Matin in replay and podcast here

Sunscreen, a supplement

You apply SPF 50 sunscreen to your child after each swim and every two hours, so you think your toddler is protected from the sun... But it's far from enough, explains Jean-Baptiste Méric, oncologist and director from the public health and care center at the National Cancer Institute: "Sunscreen is a supplement that will come in addition, for areas of the body that we will not have been able to protect otherwise", details- he at the microphone of Europe 1.

Until puberty, the skin is thinner and the pigment system is immature, so sunburn is more common.

But the holidays are here, and the desire to enjoy the outdoors too.

So here are some tips from the doctor to protect children: "The rule is: 'We stay in the shade.'"

>> READ ALSO -

 How to prevent (or treat) sunburn?

Do not expose children under three years old

If that's not possible, we prefer, rather than a swimsuit matching one of the parents, "an anti-UV covering swimsuit, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses", and we don't forget not "to apply a sunscreen of high index on the zones which are not covered".

These protective gestures must be applied even in overcast weather.

To limit any risk of cancer, it is even recommended not to expose children under the age of three to UV rays.