What is one reason why children have a higher risk of developing cancer from radiation exposure compared to adults?

Children have a higher risk of developing cancer from radiation exposure primarily because they have more rapidly dividing cells compared to adults. During childhood, a significant amount of growth and development occurs, and this increased cellular activity means that more cells are in the process of dividing and replicating.

When radiation exposure occurs, it can damage the DNA within these rapidly dividing cells. Since children's cells are dividing more frequently, they have a greater opportunity for radiation-induced mutations to occur, which can lead to cancer over time. The potential for long-term effects is heightened because children have a longer life expectancy ahead of them in which cancer can develop.

Other factors like thinner skin or body fat distribution do not significantly contribute to the increased risk of cancer from radiation in children. While awareness of radiation safety is important, it does not inherently affect the biological susceptibility to radiation-induced damage. The primary concern remains the rapid cell division occurring during the developmental stages of childhood, making this the most critical reason for the heightened risk.