SUNDAY, July 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- When planning your Fourth of July outing, remember sun protection for youngsters.
"It is imperative for parents to protect their children from the harmful effects of extreme sun exposure," said Dr. Alberto Pappo, director of the Solid Tumor Division at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.
Kids are not immune from cancer just because they're young, Pappo emphasized.
"While rare, melanoma is the most common type of skin cancer in younger patients and affects mostly teenagers. If diagnosed early, it can be treated effectively," he said in a hospital news release.
Pappo offered this sun-safety advice:
If a child has a mole, alert your pediatrician right away, Pappo advised. Early identification and removal of melanoma improves survival odds and reduces the need for more invasive surgery.
More information
The American Academy of Pediatrics has more on sun safety.