Melanoma Rates on the Rise in U.S. Children

Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer, but it's fairly rare in children and teens - only 300 to 420 new cases of melanoma are diagnosed in children every year. Though childhood melanoma isn't common, the number of children diagnosed with melanoma is increasing every year, say researchers from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, and the National Cancer Institute.

Using statistics from the National Cancer Institute, researchers examined diagnoses of melanoma made in people under 25 years of age. They examined factors that could put a person at risk for melanoma, the severity of the melanoma, and how long each person survived after diagnosis. They also estimated each person's exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Some ultraviolet rays pass through air and clouds and penetrate the skin, and when the skin's been exposed to too many of these rays, a person gets a sunburn. Having sunburns or lots of UV exposure can increase a person's risk for melanoma.

Between 1973 and 2001, they found 1,255 cases of melanoma in children and teens, and the number of melanoma cases increased almost 3% every year during that time period. The number of melanoma cases increased the most in kids between 10 and 19, whereas younger kids had just over a 1% increase in the number of melanoma cases each year. Older kids and teens, girls, white kids and teens, and kids and teens exposed to more UV rays were at a significantly greater risk of developing melanoma.

The good news is that melanoma is very treatable in children and teens, especially if it's caught early. Nearly 94% of children with melanoma survived at least 5 years after their diagnosis. Between 1973 and 1991, the survival rates for melanoma increased.

What This Means to You: Melanoma rates increase every year in kids and teens, according to the results of this study. To protect your child from UV exposure and reduce the risk of melanoma, try these tips:

• Avoid being in the sun from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM, when the sun's rays are strongest.
• When outdoors, have your child dressed in clothing that covers the body, including hats with wide brims to shadow the face.
• Use sunscreen consistently and regularly, even on cloudy days.
• Make sure your child wears protective eyewear.
• Because some medications increase a person's sensitivity to the sun, take extra sun precautions if your child takes medications such as antibiotics or acne medications.
• Encourage your teen to avoid indoor tanning.

You should also regularly check your child's skin for any changes, like moles that have changed color or shape. If you have concerns about your child's skin, talk to your child's doctor. He or she can refer you to a pediatric dermatologist - a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating skin diseases in children and teens - if necessary.

Source: John J. Strouse; Thoma R. Fears; Margaret A. Tucker; Alan S. Wayne; Journal of Clinical Oncology, July 20, 2005

Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: October 2005

Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.

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