Skin Cancer Prevention Behaviors Among Agricultural and Construction Workers in the United States, 2015

Abstract

Introduction Nearly 5 million people are treated for skin cancer each year in the United States. Agricultural and construction workers (ACWs) may be at increased risk for skin cancer because of high levels of ultraviolet radiation exposure from the sun. This is the first study that uses nationally representative data to assess sun-protection behaviors among ACWs. Methods We analyzed data from the 2015 National Health Interview Survey Cancer Control Supplement to examine the prevalence of sun-protection behaviors among ACWs. We calculated national, weighted, self-reported prevalence estimates. We used χ 2 tests to assess differences between ACWs by industry and occupation. Results Most of the 2,298 agricultural and construction workers studied were male (by industry, 72.4% in agriculture and 89.3% in construction; by occupation, 66.1% in agriculture and 95.6% in construction) and non-Hispanic white. About one-third had at least 1 sunburn in the past year. The prevalence of sunscreen use and shade seeking was low and did not significantly differ among groups, ranging from 15.1% to 21.4% for sunscreen use and 24.5% to 29.1% for shade seeking. The prevalence of wearing protective clothing was significantly higher among agricultural workers than among construction workers by industry (70.9% vs 50.7%) and occupation (70.5% vs 53.0%). Conclusion Our findings could be used to improve occupational health approaches to reducing skin cancer risk among ACWs and to inform education and prevention initiatives addressing skin cancer. Sun-safety initiatives may include modifying work sites to increase shade and adding sun safety to workplace policies and training. Employers can help reduce occupational health inequities and protect workers by creating workplaces that facilitate sun protection.

Sun‐protection and sun‐exposure habits among sailors: results of the 2018 world's largest sailing race Barcolana’ skin cancer prevention campaign

“…Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light has been identified as major contributor for the development of NMSC and particularly for keratinocyte skin cancers . Epidemiologic data suggest an increased risk of NMSC in persons with a prolonged or intense occupational or recreational sun‐exposure, such as postal and construction workers, mountain guides, military personal but also athletes such as marathon runners . Another sportive activity associated with significant sun‐exposure is sailing, but up to date little is known about the sun‐exposure habits, sun‐protection behaviours and risk factors for NMSC among sailors.…”

Malignant mesothelioma in construction workers: the Apulia regional mesothelioma register, Southern Italy

“…There are many known carcinogens used in the construction industry [1]. Moreover, work injury and specific exposures to disease are important risk factors for the development of chronic diseases among construction workers given the nature of the work (temporary, manual and outdoors), as well as among other workers not in the construction sector who are exposed to the same risks [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18].…”

Cutaneous melanomas attributable to ultraviolet radiation exposure by state

“…These variations likely reflect a combination of state differences in the strength of solar UV radiation, regular or intermittent participation in outdoor activities (even intermittent sun exposure increases melanoma risk), 18 sun protection, indoor tanning and early detection activities. [19][20][21][22] As representative statewide data for many of these factors are lacking, herein we use corresponding regional or national data to discuss our main findings.…”

“…28 High prevalence of outdoor activities (e.g., going to beaches, lakes or outdoor swimming pools, recreational boating, skiing and perhaps occupational activities such as farming) and insufficient sun protection are likely major contributors to the high UV-attributable melanoma rates even in states with low UV index. [18][19][20][21][22] Although engagement in recreational outdoor activities has substantially increased during recent decades, both of these factors are potentially modifiable. [18][19][20][21][22] Sun protection use is suboptimal nationally; one-third of men and one-fourth of women report that they do not use any sun protection, 29 and only 22% of adult men and 40% of women use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) ≥15 regularly.…”