Posted 9:37 AM 9/6/2012 : Skin cancer striking at a younger age
Most people don't associate skin cancer with kids, but doctors
are now diagnosing more and more children with the condition.
They're finding it in teens and children as young as 10 years
old. Doctors aren't sure why this is suddenly cropping up but
they believe genetics and ultra violet light exposure are
playing a big role. For Melissa Cummins, the news that her 11
year old son had skin cancer was a shock. "I was sick. I
actually dropped down and couldn't talk on the phone," says
Cummins. And while the Maryland family often spent time
outdoors, hunting fishing and on the boat, cummins says she was
vigilant about skin protection. "They wre not outside without
hats, bonnets as babies, sunscreen always gets put on to the
point that my boys fuss at me." Doctors agree that skin cancer
at such a young age is still uncommon, but rates are increasing
at an alarming rate. Dr. Bernard Cohen, the director of
Pediatric Dermatology at the Johns Hopkins Child