Skin cancer is the single most common cancer in the United States and the rising number of incidents is staggering: 5.4 cases in 3.3 million people in 2012, according to The Skin Cancer Foundation. More people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year than all other cancers combined.
Farmers, livestock producers and agriculture industry personnel are part of core skin cancer statistics related to outdoor work, consistently ranking highest in overall sun exposure. Farmers are in one of the most high-risk skin cancer categories. Most farmers work in direct sun often for seven days per week and at the sunniest times of the year.
Types of Skin Cancer
The three most typical skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Of the three, basal cell is the most common and often found on the face, neck, ears, scalp, nose, and shoulders. Caught early, the cure rate is almost 100%. Basal rarely spreads and the risk of metastasis is less than 0.5%.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common type of skin cancer, and although relatively simple to cure when caught early, can be highly aggressive if unchecked. Over 1,000,000 SCC cases are diagnosed each year in the U.S., resulting in approximately 15,000 deaths. SCC can look like psoriasis and is an underestimated tumor. If left unchecked SCC can get into lymph nodes or other organs and cause death. SCC can be more aggressive than commonly thought. SCC is more common in persons with dark pigment skin, like those who tan easily, but darker skin doesn’t mean you’re protected.
Melanoma ranks as the rarest, but most serious form of skin cancer, causing 9,000 deaths per year. It is typically highly aggressive and can pop up anywhere on the body, even on areas with no sun exposure: palms, soles, genitalia, eyes, navel, or inside the mouth.
As with any cancer, early detection increases survival rate. The earlier you catch melanoma, the shallower it will be on the skin’s surface. Generally, a thin melanoma kills 2% to 5% of people, but the numbers go to 80% of people dying for a deep melanoma.
What does melanoma skin cancer typically look like? It may look like an asymmetrical dark spot, usually larger than 6 mm diameter with jagged borders, color variation, and changes in appearance. A five-letter (A-E) framework provides a general melanoma description. A = asymmetry; B = border irregularity; C = color variation; D = diameter over 6mm; and E = evolution or change.
Keep in mind, there are melanoma that don’t fit that pattern. You can have spots that don’t correspond to the chart and still be melanoma. If you’ve got a new mole that’s changing and catches your eye, just get it checked.
Preventative Measures:
Wear Light-Colored Clothing
Since farmers spend a great deal of time working outdoors, it’s important for them to understand the many ways to protect their skin so that they can reduce their chances of developing skin cancer. Clothing protection is most important in protecting the skin.
Hats can protect the most vulnerable head and neck areas from the sun’s rays. While baseball-type caps will protect the top of the head, they don’t protect other important areas including the ears, nose, and neck. Farmers should wear wide-brimmed hats. The recommendation is to wear a hat that has at least a 4-inch brim. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants can help to protect the arms and legs.
Wearing tightly woven lightweight and light-colored fabric can keep the body cooler in the sun and will protect against cancer-causing rays. There are many companies that manufacture high-quality sun-protective clothing.
Choose Waterproof Sunscreen – Even on Cloudy Days
Applying sunscreen every day to exposed skin can help prevent skin cancer. Don’t reserve the use of sunscreen only for sunny days. Even on a cloudy day, up to 80 percent of the sun’s ultraviolet rays can pass through the clouds. Sunscreen should be applied to dry skin 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors.
When using sunscreen, be sure to apply it to all exposed areas, and pay particular attention to the face, ears, hands and arms. Coat the skin liberally and rub it in thoroughly – most people apply only 25% to 50% of the recommended amount of sunscreen. One ounce, enough to fill the palm of your hand, is considered a good amount needed to cover the exposed areas of the body properly. Don’t forget that lips get sunburned, too. Apply a lip balm that contains sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.
Be sure to dispose of outdated sunscreen, as it will have lost its effectiveness. Reapply sunscreen frequently during the day and at least every two hours. There are so many types of sunscreen that selecting the right one can be confusing. Sunscreens are available in many forms, including ointments, creams, gels, lotions, sprays and wax sticks. The type of sunscreen you choose is a matter of personal choice. Creams are best for individuals with dry skin, but gels are preferable in hairy areas, such as the scalp or male chest. Roll on or rub on Sticks are good around the eyes and other facial areas. Creams typically yield a thicker application than lotions and are best for the face. Spray-on sunscreen should be rubbed on the skin immediately after spraying to coat the skin evenly.
Ideally, sunscreens should be water-resistant, so they cannot be easily removed by sweating or when in the water, and should have a high SPF number (at least SPF 30) that provides broad-spectrum coverage against both UVA and UVB light.
Scheduling Daily Tasks and Shade
Although working outdoors when the sun is less intense, before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., may not be feasible, sometimes rescheduling chores where exposure is lessened can be achieved. Even though the sun may be less intense in the morning and late afternoon, damage to the skin is still possible and sunscreen is recommended. Seeking shade may have obstacles but creating shade where you work with an umbrella or pop-up tent is a great idea. We often see more non-cab tractors with a canopy or umbrella to protect the operator from exposure to the elements.
Conclusion:
It’s never too late to protect yourself from the sun and minimize your future risk of skin cancer. Understanding how to best protect your skin from the sun can help prevent melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer as well as other skin cancers. Early detection is key – so get checked at least annually by a doctor and especially if you see something suspicious on your skin.
Resources:
The Skin Cancer Foundation https://www.skincancer.org/
