If skin cancer occurs mainly in older people, why is it so important for children to avoid getting too much sun?
Childhood sun exposure may set the stage for adult skin cancer. The average person gets about 50% of his or her total lifetime sun exposure by age 18. Most severe sun burns also occur during childhood and adolescence. A single severe sunburn may increase an individual’s risk of skin cancer. Q: After examining my skin, the family doctor said I have the warning signs of skin cancer. He said to be especially careful about avoiding excessive sun, get regular check-ups, and to do regular skin self-examinations. How could he tell? A: The doctor probably discovered actinic keratoses, a pre-cancerous condition caused by long-term overexposure to the sun. An actinic keratosis feels like a small rough spot on the skin. It may be flesh-colored or reddish pink with whiteish scales. These growths often form on the backs of the hands, arms, face, and ears of individuals with sun-damaged skin. Most actinic keratoses do not change into skin cancer. Some, however, do. Doctors advise that actinic kerato
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