Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in Ireland with over 11,000 cases diagnosed annually, and it is predicted that this number will more than double by the year 2045.  Thankfully, most cases of skin cancer can be prevented by protecting skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources such as sunbeds.

Outdoor workers are particularly vulnerable to skin cancer. Spending long periods of time outdoors they are exposed to two to three times more UV rays from the sun than indoor workers, putting them at increased risk of skin cancer and eye damage.

Both sporadic and chronic sun exposure can be harmful. Exposure causing sunburn is the most damaging, but frequent non-burning exposures also significantly increase the risk of skin cancer. Those who regularly spend all or part of the day working outdoors can reduce their risk of skin cancer by protecting their skin.

Exposure to UV radiation can damage the skin and eyes. Short-term damage can be visible, presenting as skin reddening, sunburn or a suntan, while other damage may take years to develop, such as premature ageing of the skin and skin cancer.

Protect your skin everyday between April and September

People often think it is the sun’s heat that causes skin cancer, but in fact it is UV radiation from the sun, which you cannot see or feel that causes damage to the skin. It doesn’t have to be a warm and sunny day for UV levels from the sun to be high. Even on cloudy days UV levels can be high enough to damage your skin. Remember, it’s UV radiation from the sun that damages the skin and eyes.

The UV index tells you how strong the sun’s UV radiation is each day. You need to protect your skin when the UV index is three or above. In Ireland, the UV index is usually three or above from April to September, even when it is cloudy. UV is usually strongest between 11.00am and 3.00pm. Check the UV index on Met Éireann at met.ie/uv-index.

UV damage builds up over time so outdoor workers should use sun protection every day between April to September. Do not wait for hot and sunny days to use sun protection. UV from the sun is damaging — even on cool, cloudy days.

UV radiation reflects off water, sand, concrete, light-coloured surfaces and snow. Some UV radiation can pass through glass.

If you spend long hours sitting next to a window when you are driving, you should use sun protection.

 

Protect your skin everyday between April and September by following the SunSmart code.

What you can to reduce your risk of skin cancer

To reduce your risk of skin cancer, follow the Healthy Ireland SunSmart 5S’s:

1. Slip on clothing: Wear clothes that cover as much skin as possible such as long sleeves and collared shirts;
2. Slop on sunscreen: Apply plenty of sunscreen with SPF 30 plus, or more, which is labelled ‘broad spectrum’ (offering protection against UVA and UVB) and is ‘water resistant’. Reapply regularly (especially after swimming, sweating, or towel drying);
3. Slap on a wide brimmed hat: Use a hat that shades your face, neck and ears, or a construction helmet with a brim and a neck flap;
4. Seek shade: Work in the shade if possible, under trees, portable and permanent shade structures. If you can, adjust work schedules to limit time in the midday sun. Plan work so that outdoor tasks are scheduled earlier in the morning or later in the day; and
5. Slide on sunglasses: Wear UV sunglasses or safety glasses that provide UV protection. Choose sunglasses that are close fitting/wrap-around style.

Supporting and following the above 5S’s of the SunSmart code means outdoor workers and their employers can protect against UV exposure and reduce the risk of developing skin cancer. Both employers and workers can take action to reduce workplace exposure to UV radiation by:

• Including sun protection advice as part of health and safety programmes;
• Reminding employees regularly about the dangers of the sun’s UV rays when working outdoors by, for example, displaying posters and providing leaflets;
• Planning how, where and when work will be carried out;
• Where possible, planning to do your work outdoors early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the peak UV sunrays. Use trees or portable shade for break times and lunch;
• Ensuring that managers and supervisors act as positive role models by being SunSmart;
• Developing a UV protection policy to record how your workplace will manage UV exposure risk at work; and
• Carrying out a risk assessment and identifying suitable controls for outdoor work such as providing sun-protective clothing, shade and sunscreen.

Outdoor workers need to protect themselves, and employers should be aware of their responsibility to protect their workers. Tips for employers and workers need to be practical, since we can’t eliminate sun exposure. Those who regularly spend all or part of the day working outdoors can protect their skin and reduce their risk of skin cancer by being SunSmart.

Resources for your use

The HSE NCCP has developed a suite of resources for patients and healthcare professionals. These include patient information leaflets, factsheets. These resources are freely available to download, or you can order printed resources at healthpromotion.ie/products. Choose ‘cancer’ from the drop-down menu. More information is available at hse.ie/sunsmart and hse.ie/cancerearlydetection.