Illinois Farmers and Skin Cancer: Know Your Risk

Long hours in the sun, often seven days a week, at the sunniest times of the year.

While this is a very familiar story for farmers and agricultural workers, it’s also a harsh occupational reality that puts farmers in the crosshairs of skin cancer. 

Because overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the primary cause of most skin cancers, it’s especially important for farmers to know their bodies and know the factors that increase their risk of skin cancer.

1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70
Farmers may be at even higher risk

Skin cancer is the most diagnosed cancer – in the United States and worldwide. In fact, more people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in America than all other cancers combined.

By the numbers, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation:

• One in five Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70.
• More than two people die of skin cancer in the United States every hour.
• Having five or more sunburns doubles your risk for melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.
• When detected early, the five-year relative survival rate for melanoma is 99%.

The threat is especially strong in Illinois, Wisconsin and other wintry Midwestern states, which have experienced an alarming uptick in melanoma and other skin cancers.

Among the most at risk: Midwestern farmers, who consistently rank high in overall sun exposure and consequently have a higher skin cancer risk compared to people in other occupations.

In fact, one study found that farmers accounted for a disproportionately large percentage — 33% — of patients treated for basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer. Other research indicate that about one-third of agricultural and construction workers get sunburned at least once a year, and just 23% of farmers reported using sunscreen when in the sun for 15 minutes or more.

You can reduce your risk of skin cancer by taking several precautions. At the top of the list is paying attention to your skin and reporting anything unusual to your doctor. 

The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends yearly skin checks with a dermatologist and skin self-exams once a month for changes in moles, blemishes, freckles and other marks.

See your dermatologist for moles or skin changes that may have any of the following characteristics:

Asymmetric when line drawn through center

Borders that are ragged or blurred

Color variation in the same mole

Diameter of more than 6mm, the size of a pencil eraser

Evolution a change over time (size, shape, color, new bleeding, etc.)

Other warning signs

• A sore that doesn't heal
• Pigmentation that spreads from the border of a spot into surrounding skin
• Redness or new swelling beyond the border
• Change in sensation, such as itchiness, tenderness or pain
• Changes in the surface of a mole, blemish or sore, such as scaliness, oozing, bleeding or height

Skin cancer prevention involves knowing your risk and taking steps to reduce it. Follow these tips to help prevent the disease:

• Use broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 30 on exposed skin, and reapply regularly, even on cloudy days.
• Wear protective clothing, such as wide-brimmed hats, long pants, long-sleeved shirts and UV-protected sunglasses.
• Seek shade whenever possible, especially from late morning to mid-afternoon, and create shade when you can — for instance, by installing an umbrella or tractor canopy on your equipment.
• Conduct monthly skin self-exams, and schedule yearly skin checks with a dermatologist.

It’s also important to discern fact from fiction. 

Myth: You can’t get burned if it’s cloudy.
Harmful UV rays are present year-round and can damage your skin even through clouds. This is particularly important for Midwesterners, who may only get about nine hours of daylight in the winter, according to the Farmer’s Almanac.

Myth: Dark-skinned people don’t get skin cancer. 
Dark-colored skin will not burn as easily as light-colored skin, but the sun can still cause skin damage and burns with excessive exposure. Regardless of your skin tone, wear sunscreen.

Myth: Only older people get skin cancer.
Prevention matters at any age. Melanoma is the most common form of cancer in young adults 25 to 29 years old and the second-most common form of cancer for people 15 to 29 years old. In fact, the younger you’re exposed to the sun, the greater your risk of skin cancer later in life.

Myth: Any clothing will block the sun’s rays.
The type of clothing matters when it comes to sun safety. Darker and brighter colors absorb more UV rays, so they provide more sun protection than white or pastel shades. Look for the UPF designation on labels for clothing and hats. The number indicates what fraction of the sun’s UV rays penetrates the fabric. A UPF of 30 to 49 offers very good protection, while UPF 50+ rates are excellent.

Most skin cancer that is caught early can be treated by your local dermatologist. If you are diagnosed with metastatic skin cancer or any skin cancer requiring more advanced treatment options, the City of Hope Chicago skin cancer and melanoma program is here to deliver the specialized care you need with the lifesaving speed you deserve. Our team of experts in radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, cellular therapy and surgery – including Mohs micrographic surgery and minimally invasive robotic surgeries – surround you with leading-edge care focused on your individual needs.