FARMERS are at a higher risk of getting skin cancer, a cancer specialist said yesterday at the launch of a "sunsmart" campaign to encourage people working on the land to take care in the sun.
Prof James Fennelly, chairman of the Irish Cancer Society, said farmers should be aware that their outdoor occupation put them at particular risk. "As farm families spend so much time outdoors, they are particularly vulnerable to over-exposure from the sun's harmful rays. It is the constant cumulative exposure to this UV radiation which causes the vast majority of skin cancers," Prof Fennelly said.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland with 7,000 cases diagnosed each year, 90 per cent of which are caused by over-exposure to the sun, and which are preventable.
The campaign is being run by the Irish Cancer Society and the Irish Farming Organisation. Mr John Donnelly, president of the IFA, said there was not a high awareness of the disease among the farming community.
"In the past there was a great tradition of farmers wearing hats but that is not so much the case now and they are much more exposed. It is understandable that they have to avail of the fine weather but they should not rush out and forget about the dangers. We hope to get the message across to over 300,000 people through this campaign warning of the dangers of the sun," he said.
Dr Gillian Murphy, a consultant dermatologist, said the intermittent nature of the weather leads to a lack of awareness of the dangers. "Those with outdoor occupations are most at risk. Bald heads, red/light-coloured hair fair, easy sunburning skin and freckles, indicate particular risk. Farmers' children frequently help out on the farm in summer and should be especially protected from sunburn as childhood sun-burn confers greater risk of skin cancer in adult life."
The importance of early detection was emphasised by Ms Avril Gillatt, health promotion manager with the Irish Cancer Society. "The vast majority of skin cancers are curable. However, it is important that farm families report any skin changes, particularly any new growing or changing moles, to the doctor."
A number of guidelines have been issued: cover up with appropriate hats and clothing, as many skin cancers occur on the lips, nose and ears; wear a hat with a brim or a "legionnaire" type hat with cloth covering the neck; take extra care at midday when the sun is at its hottest; use a total sun-block, factor 15 or over, on exposed areas, and ensure that children do not get sunburnt.
An information leaflet has been prepared for distribution to farmers countrywide and a series of meetings organised by the ICS and the IFA's farm family committee is scheduled to take place during the summer.