Mole Count Drops by 47% in Kids Due to Sun Protection

0:00On this March 4th in Sydney, here's what is making headlines. A new study from Australian researchers shows the average number of moles on kid's skin has nearly halved over the past 25 years. Back in 1992, 12 and 13-year-olds had about 87 moles on average by 2016 that dropped to just 46 of 47 percent plunge. Scientists at QIMR Berkhoffer Medical Research Institute tracked nearly 4,000 kids, mostly twins in their siblings, in sunny Southeast, Queensland. They linked the big drop to less sun exposure before age 12, thanks to public health pushes like the famous Slap Slap campaign that got everyone covering up slapping on sunscreen and slipping into hats. This trend is huge because mole count strongly predicts melanoma risk, especially for fair skin folks in high UV spots. Experts say it could mean a fourfold lower lifetime risk of the deadly skin cancer for kids born this century compared to

1:00those in the 19-80s. Lead researcher geneticist Nick Martin calls it a rare good news story, proving science back campaigns can change habits and save lives. Other skin cancer pros agree it's a win, but stress keeping up protections into the teen years and beyond when slip ups like skipping hats or clothes. Happen more. Folks involved, like one study participant now raising her own twins, want refreshed messaging to keep sun safety top of mind. With Queensland's sky-high skin cancer rates, these findings spotlight while sticking with the basics, hats, clothes, and sunscreen matters every day. Quick thanks to today's sponsor. See the description for more. You know what is better than earbuds in bed? No earbuds at all. S-O-L-L-I-S-O-L-Pillow dot com.