Julie Mitchell
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
Human
beings everywhere share a special relationship with the sun.
We are warmed by the sun and our earth sustains and enriches
itself with the help of its glimmering rays. However, as we
crave the sun's heat and light, this golden star can have
a dangerous and deadly effect upon us. We must be aware that
there is a dark side to the sun and learn how to protect ourselves
from it. Our health, well being, and livelihoods depend on
it.
The sun sheds invisible ultraviolet rays which can be extremely
dangerous to the skin and are responsible for sunburn, premature
aging and other types of skin damage including cancer. Agricultural
workers top the list of candidates for skin cancer because they
are outdoors and are exposed to the sun on a daily basis. They
also, probably more than any other group of workers, share a
legacy of respect for the forces of nature and the knowledge
to best co-exist with these elements.
Like
any other part of our bodies, skin is a place where cancer
can develop. Fortunately, most skin cancer can be cured when
discovered early and treated promptly. If you know the facts
about skin cancer, you know that it can be prevented.
Skin
cancer is linked to excessive sun exposure. According to the
American Cancer Society, 600,000 cases of skin cancer occur
every year in the United States. Out of the 600,000 cases,
an estimated 8,200 end in death.
When
exposed to the sun, our skin can go through a series of changes:
Short
Term Effects
Suntan:
A suntan is not a sign of good health. As a defense mechanism,
the body produces a pigment called melanin, which turns the
skin brown. Suntanning causes skin to age prematurely.
Sunburn:
Sunburns occur when the body receives excessive amounts of
radiation (the full effect of the sun is not realized until
14 to 24 hours later). Along with a sunburn, the skin may
blister, which indicates a second degree burn.
Delayed
Effects
Skin
changes: Skin can change in several ways. The sun can cause
skin to age, wrinkle, thicken, dry out, freckle, and blemish,
and develop a rough texture.
Skin
Cancers: Skin cancers are caused by excessive exposure
to the sun's ultra-violet rays. It is important to remember
that sunburns are not the only condition that lead to the
development of skin cancer.
There are three basic types of skin cancer: Basal-cell carcinoma,
Squamous-cell carcinoma and Melanoma. The first two types are
very common and easily curable, while the third type, if not
detected early, can be very dangerous and even deadly.
- The
most common and seldom life threatening:
- Basal-cell
carcinoma
- Squamous-cell
carcinoma
- Every
year approximately 32,000 new cases develop causing about
6,700 deaths:
Melanoma is different from other skin cancers because it has
a tendency to spread to other parts of the body. Once it reaches
vital organs melanoma is very difficult to treat, and can be
lethal.
Melanoma
cells produce melanin, the skin coloring agent, causing this
type of cancer to be tan, brown and black. It may appear suddenly,
but most often it occurs near a mole or a dark spot on the
skin. It is essential that you know the location of moles
on your body so that you can recognize any change in their
size, shape, and color.
Warning
Signs of Melanoma People who
work outdoors, such as agricultural workers, are exposed to
the sun on a daily basis. It is critically important that these
people be keenly aware of skin cancer's warning signals and
get into the habit of doing regular monthly self examinations.
Finding
changes in skin growths or the appearance of new growths is
the best way to find early skin cancer. Each skin cancer can
be readily detected.
- Any
unusual skin condition, especially change in size or color
of a mole, pigmented growth, or spot.
- Oozing,
bleeding, or change in the appearance of a bump or nodule.
- The
spread of pigmentation beyond it's border.
- A
change in sensation such as itchiness, tenderness, or pain.
If any
of these warning signs exist, consult your physician--Early
detection is critical!
While most skin cancer can be prevented, many can be cured.
Nearly 100 percent of those patients diagnosed with basal and
squamous cell cancers will survive five years or more if treated
promptly. Melanoma patients, if treated promptly, have a 90
percent chance of a five year survival rate.
However,
it is important to remember that cancers can recur. Skin cancer
patients should conduct monthly skin exams, follow their physicians
advice, and avoid excessive sun exposure.
Risk
Factors Leading to Skin Cancer
- Excessive
sun exposure: What is excessive? The amount of sun varies
from person to person, but it is important to remember that
no one is immune to the harmful rays of the sun.
- Fair
complexion (skin type): The fairer your skin, the greater
your risk. Fair skin burns and freckles easy. However, dark
brown and black skin are vulnerable as well. The greatest
risk areas for this skin type are the palms of the hands,
the soles of the feet, and under the nails.
- Geographic
location: The risk of skin cancer is higher in places
with intense year-round sunshine. In the United States,
Arizona has the highest incidence of skin cancer. It is
important to remember that anyone, regardless of geographic
location, can develop skin cancer.
The strongest weapon we have against skin cancer is prevention.
By keeping exposure to the sun at a minimum, risks are automatically
reduced. There are a number of preventative factors to consider:
- Try
and avoid the sun between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Since
farmers are outside most of the day, it is important they
realize that the sun's ultraviolet rays are the strongest
between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m..
- Wear
protective clothing--cover up with a wide-brimmed hat, long-sleeved
shirts and pants to ensure the sun won't penetrate.
- Use
sun screens--Finding the right sun screen may, at first,
seem like an exercise in frustration because of the number
of products on the market. However, The American Cancer
Society recommends that you use a sun screen with a sun
protective factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Apply the sun screen
to any part of the body that is not protected by clothing.
It is important to remember that the sun screen must be
reapplied throughout the day in order to be effective.
- Know
the ways of the rays--You can get burned just as easily
on a cloudy day as you can on a sunny day. Also, it is important
to know that the sun's rays can penetrate three feet of
water.
- Don't
use sunlamps, tanning parlors, or tanning pills--These things
can be just as harmful as the sun.
Children can also develop skin cancer which may not show up
until later in life. A blistering sunburn before the age of
ten will double the probability of children developing malignant
melanoma sometime during their lifetime.
Being
exposed to the sun throughout a lifetime can be deadly. Sun
exposure is cumulative; the more sun you are exposed to and
the longer you live, the greater your chances of having skin
cancer.
Protecting
skin from damaging ultra-violet rays is more crucial during
childhood than throughout the adult years.
The
American Cancer Society suggests the following guidelines
to protect children from the sun:
- S
--- Shadow test- if the shadow is shorter than the child,
the sun is at its strongest and most dangerous point.
- U
--- Ultraviolet sunblock with an SPF of 15 or greater should
always be used if the child is exposed to the sun.
- N
--- Now! Protect children from the harmful effects of the
sun now. Start today!
While
the prevention and detection of skin cancer may involve changing
some attitudes and behaviors, there's no doubt that the benefits
of good health will be just as renewing as each sunrise and
sunset.
- The
American Cancer Society--Texas Division, Inc.
Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not
represent NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears
by permission of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
This document
is part of the Agricultural Safety and Health Series. For
more information about agricultural safety & health, contact:
Project Director, Oklahoma Agricultural Health, Promotion
System, Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering,
Oklahoma State University; or The National Institute for Occupational
Safety & Health, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226,
1-800-35-NIOSH.
Department
of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Oklahoma State
University.
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