Workers are advised to take measures to protect themselves from the sun
A new survey has highlighted the risks of skin cancer among the horticulture workforce.
Some 12 per cent of respondents to a survey by the Chartered Institute of Horticulture and Plant Network said they had been diagnosed with some form of skin cancer. The survey was designed to examine awareness of skin cancer and attitudes to sun safety from those working in the horticulture industry.
The survey was completed by more than 700 respondents, of which men were almost twice as likely to have been diagnosed with skin cancer compared to women. Respondents with the palest skin tone were similarly twice as likely to have received a skin cancer diagnosis compared to darker skin tones.
“It has been humbling to hear the stories of so many horticulturists affected by all forms of skin cancer,” said Jason Daff, secretary of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture. “In our self-selecting survey, 71 per cent of respondents reported being sunburned at least once per year; preventing this through proper sun safety is the best way we can prevent skin cancer.”
May is Melanoma Awareness Month, and the Chartered Institute of Horticulture and Plant Network are calling for horticulturists to join them in raising awareness of skin cancer and promote best practice for staying safe in the sun while working in the horticulture industry.
Working safely in the sun
The survey outlines some good examples of sun-safe working. Women reported being much more likely to wear sunscreen regularly, with 74 per cent claiming to wear sunscreen ‘always’ or ‘most of the time’, compared to only 39 per cent of men.
However, 30 per cent of sunscreen users reported ‘rarely’ or ‘never’ reapplying sunscreen while working outdoors during the day.
Where physical work is likely to result in sunscreen being removed by sweat, the recommendation is to reapply every two hours to maintain maximum protection.
One respondent was freelance horticulturist Anna Ingram, who was diagnosed with malignant melanoma on her arm in 2006. She required surgery to remove the melanoma and has since also had a basal cell carcinoma removed from her leg.
Now cancer free, Ingram is keen to impress on others the need to take sun safety seriously. “Keep an eye on your skin, and if you notice any new moles get them checked straightaway,” she advised. “Wear factor 50 sunscreen and reapply it regularly, particularly to places where you might be washing it off, such as your hands. I always wear a long-sleeved [top] in the summer and wear a hat with a wide brim.”
There appears to be a split when it comes to employers providing sunscreen for employees. The survey indicates that employers with more than 250 employees were more than twice as likely to regularly provide sunscreen for employees than smaller employers.
