Skin Cancer In Kids On The Rise

Doctors are seeing more of the deadliest form of skin cancer in children.

The Early Show medical correspondent Dr. Emily Senay explains that the type of skin cancer physicians worry about most is malignant melanoma, which can spread inside the body and kill you.

The risk we usually think of regarding skin cancer is that of ultraviolet radiation from the sun, which damages the skin over time and raises the risk of cancer later in life.

But some recent research has detected a very small but significant increase in childhood melanoma cases.

"Fortunately," Senay points out to co-anchor Julie Chen, "this is (still) a very rare cancer in children.

"The point is that this is something parents need to be concerned about, because it's that time of year when kids are going to be out, and exposed to the sun. And this is something researchers will keep their eyes on, to see if this is a real increase in what's happening. Again, the number of cases is small."

Researchers don't know what causes melanoma in children, Senay says.

It's not understood why some people develop melanoma in a covered part of the body or with no evidence of sun exposure.

Experts think it's highly unlikely that sun exposure causes skin cancer in young children, because kids haven't built up the years of skin damage from the sun that is linked to cancer risk.

Genetics could be one factor, Senay says.The good news for children and adults alike is that skin cancer is a visible cancer. When melanoma is detected early and treated, it's very curable.

Fair skin, family history, lots of moles on the body or a history of sunburns and sun exposure increase the risk of developing skin cancer, Senay says.

Young people should learn to avoid the sun early in life, she advises. Parents should take special care with small children in the sun year-round. The best way is to try to stay out of the sun, especially during the peak hours from ten to four, and wear protective clothing outdoors.

If skin is exposed to the sun, use sunscreen with an SPF, or sun protection factor, of 15 or higher. An SPF of 15 is supposed to mean you can spend fifteen times longer in the sun than normal. Apply sunscreen on a daily, regular basis, whether or not you're outside all the time. And don't be afraid to use a lot.

Senay urges that everyone be on the lookout for the "ABCs of skin cancer":