When your child is born, you see endless possibilities. There are so many good things ahead for your child, but you can’t help but worry about bad possibilities, too. Although HealthDay News reports only three percent of childhood cancers are melanoma, that’s not a risk parents are willing to take. Among Dr. Arsenault’s specializations is pediatric dermatology, so she’s the best resource you have for facts and accurate diagnosis of skin cancer in children.
The Facts about Skin Cancer in Children
Children are among the least likely to get skin cancer, but that’s not the same as saying they’re immune to it. The two cancers that appear most often in adults—squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma—are the result of long-term exposure to UV rays over many years, so while childhood skin cancer is rare, children are still susceptible to it. Nevertheless, some skin cancer is genetic. Although one’s risk for melanoma increases with long-term sun exposure, it can prove a genetic disease as well. Ask Dr. Arsenault for the childhood cancer facts that may apply to your kids.
Concerns about Skin Cancer in Kids: When to Visit a Dermatologist
yearly checkups with Dr. Arsenault are a good idea for your kids if you’re concerned about skin cancer. She may recommend even more frequent visits if your child is at higher risk for cancer—if he or she is light-skinned, for example, was born with irregularly-shaped moles or has a family history of skin cancer. Otherwise, the warning signs that should prompt a call to Dr. Arsenault are the same for kids and adults and include:
- Evolving moles
- Irregularly shaped moles
- Moles of multiple colors or moles that are lighter or darker than usual
- Moles that are larger than the tip of a pencil eraser
- Moles that are raised off of the skin’s surface
Atypical moles are more frequently benign than cancerous, but you owe it to your kids to keep on top of any changes to the moles on their body just in case.
Taking Your Children to the Dermatologist in Florida
If you’re in the Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch area, regular visits to Dr. Arsenault are a must. The Florida sun may allow your kids to play outside and enjoy the fresh air, but it also puts them at greater risk for skin cancer in comparison to kids who don’t enjoy year-round sunshine. Dr. Arsenault will happily educate you and your child on skin cancer treatment, diagnosis and prevention. She can recommend sunscreens and tips to follow to help keep your kids’ skin safe.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Arsenault so she can take a look at your child’s skin and assess his or her risk for skin cancer. At a young age, prevention is important regardless of the child’s current risks. Dr. Arsenault can help you and your kids prevent the development of cancer in the future.
