RICHMOND, Va. -- May is Melanoma awareness month, something that is more important than ever since skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the US.
Children are at the most risk for sun damage, so dermatologists and even members of congress are taking action to protect them.
The American Cancer Society estimates 87,110 new melanomas will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year.
"It was right here on my nose,” said Karen Lynn, a local skin cancer survivor. “You couldn't even see it if I showed you."
Karen Lynn and family
On the other hand, there was no missing the 20 stitches the mother of three had after surgery to remove basal cell carcinoma -- the mildest form of skin cancer.
"It’s just been two months. It's unbelievable how quickly it's healed,” she said. “I certainly didn't feel like that when I left the office and I had a black eye and my face was swollen."
Lynn always makes sure her three boys are protected from the sun, because now she knows that people get the most amount of sun damage before they turn 18.
"I remember being a teenager and putting on iodine and oil... Thinking we were going to get more tan... That was ridiculous,” said Lynn.
Karen Lynn
President of the Pediatric Sun Protection Foundation Dr. Amy Brodsky joined other dermatologists in Washington DC to support House Resolution 282. The bill calls for public awareness campaigns to teach parents, caregivers and teachers about sun safety. It would also allow children to bring sunscreen to school and use it without a doctor's note.
"One blistering sunburn can double your risk of skin cancer," said Dr. Brodsky. "If you’ve had five sunburns, you’ve also doubled your risk of skin cancer, so what we want children to do is not just use sunscreen, but use sun protective clothing. That’s the number one means to the prevention of skin cancer."
In addition to protective clothing, Dr. Brodsky recommends using a sunscreen with zinc or titanium to block both UVA and UVB rays.
She also suggests staying out of the sun as much as possible between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
