If you had one bad sunburn in childhood, what is true about your risk for melanoma later in life?

Experiencing a bad sunburn in childhood significantly increases the risk of developing melanoma later in life. This increased risk is attributed to the lasting damage that UV radiation inflicts on skin cells, which can lead to mutations that may cause skin cancer. Research indicates that individuals who suffered from severe sunburns, particularly during the formative years when skin is more sensitive, are more likely to develop melanoma as adults.

The assertion that the risk is doubled may underestimate the severity of the impact that severe sunburns can have, while stating that the risk is tripled more accurately reflects the statistical findings related to childhood sunburns and melanoma. This tripling of risk underscores the importance of sun protection during childhood, as these early experiences with sun exposure can have lifelong consequences on skin health.