Childhood ultraviolet exposure and skin cancer prevention: A call for change in national policy in South Africa

Abstract

Skin cancer incidence is rising both globally and in South Africa, and evidence shows that sunburns in childhood significantly affect the risk of developing melanoma in later life. Sun protection in childhood remains an underutilised avenue for preventive medicine in South Africa. In contrast to South Africa, countries like Australia have implemented numerous state and national sun programmes that have shown significant success, with declining melanoma rates in younger populations. South Africa observes annual skin cancer awareness campaigns but lacks a comprehensive, national school sun protection policy, and such policies are seldom implemented at school level. It is suggested that healthcare professionals engage in sun protection advocacy nationally. This includes patient education, targeted counselling for adolescents, engagement with communities and schools and the incorporation of routine skin examination into consultations and targeted screening of high-risk individuals. Reducing ultraviolet light exposure in the paediatric population offers a cost-effective and practical way to alleviate the burden of skin cancer in the coming decades.