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Farmers face skin cancer risks

Farming is an outdoor job and that means the risks of farmers getting skin cancer are increased.

Dr. George Monk, a private physician and assistant professor with the University of Oklahoma, tells Brownfield farmers need to be aware, “They ARE sort of a tough group, very stoic and sometimes they just don’t come in when they should come in. So, if you ever have a lesion that’s not healing, that’s bleeding, that’s increasing in size, those are sort of warning signs that you should go get checked by your primary care doctor or your dermatologist.”

He tells Brownfield women are most likely to come in sooner than men. And outward signs of melanoma can be red or other colors besides black.

As for sunscreen, he says, those with SPF 30 or higher should be applied every two hours when outside. Long sleeve shirts and long pants can also help. And, he says, wide brim hats, adding, “We see quite a bit of skin cancer on the ears, particularly of men.”

While being in an equipment cab can reduce exposure, he says, farmers can still get sunburned through the glass of the cab.

Monk says farmers should wear sun screen year round and it’s a myth that skin cancer is less likely for those who live in cooler, cloudier environments. In fact, he says, there’s a higher proportion of skin cancers in those areas.

AUDIO: Interview with Dr. George Monks (9:00 mp3):