Today’s theme for Farm Safety Week is not about livestock or transport or even machinery. Today, we are highlighting some lesser-known dangers for those working outdoors.
The first is that great big yellow orb in the sky that we see so little of but can cause BIG problems for those working under it.
Did you know that working in the sun could lead to one death and around five new cases of melanoma skin cancer a week in the UK? Construction workers have the highest number of fatalities but working in agriculture is second highest and accounts for 23% of these deaths.
That’s around one farm worker every month dying from skin cancer due to sun exposure.
Farmers have always been at a heightened risk for skin cancer, primarily due to their long hours working outdoors and frequent exposure to sunlight.
But why?
- High Sun Exposure: Farming is an outdoor job. A job that can lead to you bneing outside for 14 hours a day, 7 days a week and during the sunniest times of the year. This consistent exposure will increase the vulnerability to harmful UV rays.
- Lack of Sun Protection: Historically, farmers have not been big fans or users of sun cream when working – a farmer’s tan… sound familiar?
- Melanoma Risk: Melanoma, a dangerous form of skin cancer, can develop from sun damage. New research shows that having severe sunburn even once during childhood or adolescence can more than double your chances of developing melanoma.
- Impact: You probably have never thoughts about it but skin cancer can significantly affect your ability to do the job. Like other forms of cancer, the treatment can be severe, debilitating and possibly force some to give up farming
What is being done for the farming community?
In Northern Ireland, Action Cancer offer a Skin Cancer Detection Service. Given that the majority of people in Northern Ireland have pale skin that tends to freckle and burn easily, this free skin cancer detection can literally prove a lifesaver to farmers who aren’t huge fans of visiting their local GP. The service is available on board the ‘Big Bus’ which travels throughout Northern Ireland and pitches up t local agricultural shows and events including the recent Balmoral Show.
At this year’s Balmoral Show, the charity teamed up with the NI Agri Rural Health Forum to launch a special focus on farmers to raise awareness of skin cancer prevention by asking the question:
You check your stock. Your check the weather. Do you check your skin?
Dee’s Story
If only I had known… Born in 1955, in rural Raffrey, Co Down on a small family farm like many others, I was expected to help around the farm before I went to school.
Riding my bike home in the afternoon, eagerly waiting to get back out again to earn a few “bob“ ! Summers then were sunny and hot with long clear evenings meaning we were able to keep working until bedtime.
I couldn’t wait for the long summer holidays, bringing in hay and straw was my favourite job! Shirt off and sitting on top of the hay bales, arms scratched and itchy. If only I had known…
Fast forward to my 50’s, married with three wonderful sons, and a new baby granddaughter, I was attending a physio to help ‘sort my back out‘ – hard work had taken its toll but thankfully she was able to help me.
It turned out that my physio helped save my life…
“Please go and get that mole on your back looked at! she advised. I eventually did and my journey began.
Diagnosed with skin cancer – my wonderful life flashed in front of me.
I was one of the lucky ones, a successful operation to remove “the naughty cells” as my consultant called them, I didn’t need any further treatment but every six months for five long years I eagerly waited to hear I was “still“ okay after my checkups .
Life now is very different. First thing in the morning, before I go out, I use factor 50 especially on my face and arms. Hat on and a long sleeved shirt, I still get my “farmers tan“ but it’s a healthy glow! My mole was not visible to me. If only I had known the damage the sun was doing, even on a cloudy day!
As an ambassador for Action Cancer I encourage you to get any moles or changes to your skin checked. They provide a wonderful free skin cancer detection service on the Big Bus or at Windsor Avenue. Take the time – it might save your life.
After all, if it was one of your favourite bullocks and you noticed a lump or something different what would you do?
Be vigilant and get any new or changing or non-healing moles or lesions checked out.
FACTS:
- Skin cancer increase is largest in men where rates have increased more than six-fold
- Since the early 1990s, the rates of melanoma skin cancer have more than doubled in the UK. Rates in females have around doubled, but rates in males have almost tripled
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is a common cancer in the farming community – It can develop from pre-cancerous skin lesions such as actinic keratoses or Bowen’s Disease
- SCC usually presents as an enlarging crusted nodule which can ulcerate and tends to bleed easily
- Most at risk from this are outdoor workers with fair skin, blonde or red hair, blue/green/grey eyes, those on medication that suppresses the immune system due to illness and there is an increased risk if you are over 50 and men are more susceptible
You can’t avoid it but what can you do to protect your skin from the sun ?
- Apply suncream at least 30 minutes before going outside and reapply every 2 hours
- Use a broad-spectrum sun cream including UVA and UVB protection factor 50 – from March through to the end of October
- Wear a hat with a brim or a flap that covers the ears and the back of the neck.
- Stay in the shade whenever possible, during your breaks and especially at lunch time.
- Wear polarized UV protection sunglasses
- Cover up – wear long sleeves and trousers with a close weave
- Never use sunbeds – the UV radiation from sunbeds will also increase your risk of skin cancer
- Monitor your moles and spots. See a doctor if you find anything that is changing in shape, size or colour, itching or bleeding.
To learn more about skin cancer and the risks of sun exposure visit:
Action Cancer – www.actioncancer.org
Cancer Research UK – https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/sun-uv-and-cancer
HSE – http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg147.pdf – ‘Keep your top on’ Health risks from working in the sun
http://www.hse.gov.uk/skin/employ/sunprotect.htm – Outdoor workers and sun exposure
IOSH – www.notimetolose.org.uk
