Skin Cancer

Skin cancer cases are on the increase in the UK and they’re rising faster than in the rest of Europe.

Ultraviolet radiation is a risk that particularly affects outdoor workers, who receive 5-10 times the yearly sun exposure of indoor workers.

SKIN CANCER: THE FACTS

  • Occupational skin cancer kills 60 people every year in Great Britain, on average
  • There are at least 1,500 new cases of non-melanoma skin cancer and 240 new cases of malignant melanoma linked to solar radiation exposure through work, every year
  • Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the world
  • 70% of workers in large UK construction companies haven’t had any form of training on the risk of working in the sun
  • Sun exposure is the main cause of skin cancer – it’s linked to 65% of malignant melanoma and 99% of non-melanoma skin cancer
  • Indoor workers get 10-20% of outdoor worker’s yearly exposure

SUN SAFETY AWARENESS

  • If you’ve had one non-melanoma skin cancer, you’re nine times more likely to get another one
  • 90% of all skin cancer deaths could be prevented if people controlled their exposure to UV
  • Getting painful sunburn just once every two years can triple the risk of melanoma
  • 5 workers a day get skin cancer in Britain
  • Up to 80% of dangerous UV rays can get through a cloudy sky
  • Two-thirds of UK construction workers outside for nearly seven hours a day don’t know they are at risk of getting skin cancer

STAY SAFE IN THE SUN

  • COVER UP – Wear long, loose clothing to keep the sun off your skin
  • PROTECT YOUR HEAD – Don’t forget your head, face, ears and neck – wear a hat, preferably with a wide brim, and sunglasses with UV protection. If you wear a hard hat, use one fitted with a Legionnaire-style flap. If you wear safety goggles, make sure they have a UV filter
  • SEEK SHADE – come out of the sun whenever possible during the most powerful ultraviolet periods (10am-3pm), and remember to stay in the shade during breaks
  • USE SUNSCREEN – Use SPF 30 or higher on any exposed skin – apply it half an hour before going outside, put plenty on and reapply it frequently
  • BE SKIN SAFE – Report skin mole changes (size, shape, colour, itching or bleeding) or any other concerns about your skin to your doctor as soon as possible – don’t put it off, early treatment is important.