Gold Coast Bulletin (Australia)
September 17, 2003 Wednesday
Kids at higher UV risk
BODY: A SINGLE case of sunburn can 'significantly' increase a child's risk
of getting skin cancer later in life, the World Health Organization warned when it launched a global campaign
to educate children about the dangers.
"We know that a child's skin is more sensitive and even a short
time in the sun can produce serious sunburn," said WHO radiation and environmental health
co-ordinator Mike Repacholi.
"A single sunburn in childhood can significantly increase the
risk of developing skin cancer later in life," he added.
The WHO campaign, organised with the United Nations' Environment
Program (UNEP), aims to help schools highlight the dangers of exposure to ultra-violet radiation
from the sun and do more to prevent melanoma, cataracts and eye damage.
There are about 130,000 new cases every year of melanoma, a
serious form of skin cancer, and an average 2.5 million cases of non-malignant melanomas.
Ultra-violet (UV) rays have increased in intensity in many parts
of the world in recent years because the protective ozone layer in the earth's atmosphere is thinning due to
pollution, scientists say.
"As ozone depletion becomes more marked and as people around the
world engage more in sun-seeking behavior, the risk of developing health complications from
over-exposure to UV radiation is becoming a substantial public health concern," WHO Director-General Lee
Jong-Wook said.
International scientists warned two weeks ago that the hole in the
ozone layer over the South Pole was growing again.
It had been stabilizing in recent years thanks to an international
agreement to cut emissions of chemicals that harm the ozone layer.
UNEP said without that agreement - the Montreal Protocol - some
estimates indicated there would be 130 million more eye cataracts and 1.5 million more cases of skin cancer
in the world.
The WHO campaign aims to expand to other countries the approach
be taken in Australia and the US, where schools have been involved in sun protection programs for about 20
years.
It has produced booklets in several languages for primary and
secondary schools that encourage children to wear hats and sunglasses, teach them the sun can damage skin and
eyes, and advise them to stick to the shade at some times of the year.
"We would try and encourage children at school not to be outdoors
between around 10 in the morning and three in the afternoon," WHO specialist Eva Rehfuss said.
"A final means of protecting oneself should be sunscreen lotion,
but only as a last resort," she added.
While some ultra-violet exposure is necessary for good health, the
campaign also dampens the summertime drive for a healthy-looking tan.
"A tan is really the body's
defense against greater ultra-violet exposure," said Mr Repacholi.
For more information on healthy bodies, see www.Healthy-Communications.com
310 457 5176