How the sun causes so much damage
When ultra violet light rays (UVA and UVB) enter the skin, they damage the skin cells, causing visible and invisible injuries. Vigilance is especially needed over the care of children?s skin because as much as 80% of our lifetime exposure to the sun occurs during childhood. If a child gets sunburn early in life then there are more years for abnormal cells such as melanoma (the most dangerous kind of skin cancer) to possibly develop. Research has shown that six episodes of serious sunburn before the age of 18 doubles the risk of developing skin cancer as an adult. Moreover, that children who are in the sun a lot get more moles, which may lead to melanoma. These can develop in any age group, including teenagers and young adults. The first sign of malignant melanoma may be the development of a multi coloured mole, which can occur on any part of the body. If not treated at an early stage, these fast growing tumours can quickly spread to other parts of the body.

Living in Hong Kong
Much has been written about the severe damage the sun has caused to people living in Australia, due to the thinning ozone layer but how much at risk are we in Hong Kong? As we are living near the equator then we have a high risk of receiving more radiation from the sun, as it has a shorter path, thus increasing the possibility of developing melanoma. So how common are melanomas in Hong Kong? People with fairer skins, and those with a family history of melanoma, are more at risk. Whilst skin cancer occurs in all races, melanomas are less common amongst Chinese, compared with their Western counterparts. However any mole has the potential to be cancerous, irrespective of ethnic background.

Dangerous Moles
Moles are common in all age groups but changes in moles should always be taken seriously. The danger signs can be remembered by using the following, A-B-C-D-E.

• Asymmetry. Melanomas are often uneven in shape.
• Border. A jagged border rather than smooth is a warning.
• Colour. Look out for changes in colour such as darkening, fading, unusual mixtures or spillages
• Diameter. Cancerous moles tend to be larger than 6mm, and growing.
• Elevation. Or increase in thickness of the mole.
  Other factors, which are important, are itching, bleeding and pain. Always see a Dr if any of the above changes occur.

Prevention, better than cure
The good news is that protecting skin from sunrays could prevent about 80% of skin cancers. As with all topics about health promotion, the best way you can teach children is by setting a good example! Whilst this is not always easy for sun loving westerners (and I confess, I?m the greatest of sinners!) we need to take example from people who have lived in hot climates all of their lives. By simply keeping out of the sun in the middle of the day, using sun protection and covering up the head and body, we can prevent sun damage.