Outdoor workers told to 'Keep Your Top On'

Following a weekend of great weather, the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) has made a special plea to outdoor workers to 'Keep Your Top On'.

Targeting workers on building sites, road work and farmers, the 'Keep Your Top On' campaign aims to give clear advice on the dangers to health from sunlight and how these can be prevented. It also stresses the benefits of checking the skin for moles, which are growing, changing shape or bleeding.

In recommending the leaflet Dr Delia Skan of HSENI drew attention to the 30 deaths and 180 newly diagnosed cases of malignant melanoma in Northern Ireland each year. She also stated that skin cancer was the most common cancer in Northern Ireland with 2,300 cases being newly diagnosed each year.

Dr Anna Gavin of the NI Cancer Registry added: “In men over a third of melanomas occur in their head and neck and a further quarter on their trunk. These could be avoided if people enhanced their personal shade with hats and shirts.

“On those parts of the body, which are not easy to shade from the sun, wear a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more. In addition always check your skin and if you are worried about anything on your skin, contact your GP who, if necessary, will refer you to a specialist.”

There are two main types of skin cancer. Non-melanoma skin cancer is caused by long-term exposure to excessive sunlight. This is the form of cancer usually associated with outdoor work and is malignant but nearly always curable.

Malignant melanoma is less common but it the more dangerous form because it often spreads. If caught and treated early, the chances of being cured are good. This type of cancer is associated with short-term exposure to intense sunlight of areas of the skin not normally exposed to the sun.

In Northern Ireland there are approximately 2,300 new cases of skin cancer registered every year and around 30 deaths from malignant melanoma.

The number has risen over recent years and is believed to be linked to the increased extent which people expose themselves to the sun and also to the fashion for tanning. The hazard is created by the total exposure from all sources and working out of doors is a contributory factor in increasing the risk.

(MB)