Children at risk of skin cancer

3:06pm Wednesday 30th July 2008

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A CHARITY campaigner is warning mothers that they may be unwittingly putting their children at risk of skin cancer.

Shirley Read, 75, from Wethered Road, Marlow, spent years fund raising for Cancer Research UK.

Now she is worried that infants in buggies may being exposed to dangerous levels of sunlight by their distracted parents.

She said: "They're very diligent about putting the lids of those prams up but the kids are in agony.

"They've got lovely clothes on and little bonnets but their faces are full in the sun."

Mrs Read said that she had seen parents pushing prams down Marlow High Street and along the tow path by the Thames, often with children fully exposed to the suns rays.

She said: "I was walking down by the river and that's when it started to hit me that these mums are not paying as much attention as they should.

"I just feel more concerned with the young babies because they have such sensitive skin."

Indy Rihal from the British Skin Foundation said: "Just one case of sunburn under the age of 20 can as much as double your chances of developing skin cancer.

"You must never let your skin burn, whatever age you are. Babies' skin is thin and fragile, so they should not be out in the sun at all.

"Children should be kept in shaded areas when outside and their skin should be protected with sunscreen, loose-fitting, cotton clothing and a wide-brimmed hat.

"Check the skin for any signs of sun damage and all cases of sunburn should be seen by your GP immediately, even if your baby or child does not express their pain because they are not able to.

"If your child's skin has been damaged by the sun, get help."