Most people know that skin cancer is most often caused by sun exposure, but it doesn’t always develop after too many days at the beach. Instead, skin cancer is more likely to develop due to cumulative sun exposure, which is a common risk in many professions. According to Dr. Clint Moss of U.S. Dermatology Partners Sherman and Paris, TX, “If you work a job that requires you to spend extended periods outdoors or work with certain chemicals, you may be at greater risk for skin cancer. Jobs like farming, construction, delivery driving, and firefighting are frequently linked to skin cancers. In many cases, this occupational risk can be reduced with proper sun protection and safety measures.” If you work a job with increased sun exposure, read on as Dr. Moss shares key occupational skin cancer risk factors and prevention tips.
How Your Job Can Increase Skin Cancer Risk
Sun exposure doesn’t just happen when you’re spending time at the beach or by the pool. Any time spent outdoors contributes to cumulative sun exposure risks, including skin cancer. Most sun exposure happens gradually with shorter daily exposures or working in a high-risk environment. The cumulative effects add up leading to DNA damage, premature skin aging, and increased risk for skin cancer. If you work outdoors, it’s important to understand the added risk and take care to protect skin.
Why Men Face a Higher Risk
While both men and women develop skin cancer, men may be at greater occupational skin cancer risk, for a range of reasons, including:
- Chronic sun exposure – men tend to spend more time outdoors for their jobs with many traditionally male-dominated jobs taking place outside. That includes careers like farming, landscaping, and construction.
- Less preventive care – men are less likely to use sunscreen and take other preventive measures to protect skin or seek treatment in the early stages of skin cancer.
- Reflective surfaces – concrete, metal, glass, and water increase overall sun exposure. This is common for roofers, roadworkers, and those who work on or near water.
- Sun exposure through windows – while driving or even inside an office building, the sun’s UV rays can access and damage skin. Those who drive for a living often experience sun damage or develop skin cancer on the face, neck, and arms.
- Environmental hazards – firefighters, oil and gas workers, and industrial workers may experience regular exposure to chemicals and toxins that increase risk for skin cancer. Working in high-heat environments may weaken skin’s barrier, making individuals more vulnerable to developing skin cancer.
Occupations With Higher Skin Cancer Risk
Working a high-risk job for skin cancer means it’s important to be aware of the added risk and take necessary steps to minimize exposure, including:
- Construction and roofing – these workers spend long hours outdoors often near reflective materials, increasing their direct sun exposure.
- Famers and agricultural workers – these workers often spend long hours from sunrise to sunset outdoors with little to no shade. Seasonal work may also require extended time outside during peak sun intensity.
- Landscapers – similarly, landscape workers and gardeners often spend time outdoors near water features and other reflective surfaces. Their physical activity also leads to sweating, which makes sunscreen less effective.
- Oil and gas workers – the combination of UV rays, chemicals, and high-heat make this one of the highest risk career fields, especially for those who work in outdoor drilling.
- Firefighters – this is another career field that involves time outdoors as well as exposure to carcinogens and high-heat. Protective gear plays a huge role in minimizing these risks, but it may not provide complete protection.
- Delivery and truck drivers – prolonged UV exposure through vehicle windows increases risk for skin cancer, especially on the left side of the body that faces the window.
- Welders – welding equipment produces high-intensity UV radiation that can damage the skin over time and increase skin cancer risk if proper protective clothing and shielding are not used.
Dermatologist Insight: What to Watch For
If you have frequent UV exposure at work, it’s important to know the warning signs of skin cancer and report them to your dermatologist as soon as possible. According to Dr. Moss, “Early diagnosis is essential for adequate treatment, but men, who are at a higher risk for occupation-related skin cancers, are often diagnosed in later stages. This is due to greater amounts of cumulative sun damage, neglected or unnoticed skin lesions, or tumors growing in overlooked areas like the ears, scalp, back of neck, nailbeds, and feet. Regardless of gender, it’s important to know the warning signs of skin cancer to support early diagnosis and treatment. Delaying diagnosis can lead to skin cancer spreading to other parts of the body, going deeper, and being more resistant to treatment.” Some of the most common early warning signs of skin cancer include:
- New moles or lesions.
- Changing spots.
- Lesions that grow quickly, change colors, or have irregular borders.
- Sores that don’t heal in time.
- Persistent skin redness or thickening.
- Bleeding or crusting areas.
How to Prevent Sunburns & Protect Your Skin on the Job
While sun exposure is always a risk for skin health, the good news is that there are numerous ways to minimize risk for developing skin cancer. Below, we walk through top skin cancer prevention tips:
- Choose the right sunscreen – find a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. That will protect against UVA and UVB rays. Choose water or sweat-resistant formulas that stay in place longer.
- Apply sunscreen correctly – use an adequate amount of sunscreen (about one ounce for the whole body) and apply to all exposed areas. Take care to protect often overlooked areas like the ears, neck, and hands.
- Reapply regularly – reapply sunscreen at least every two hours. Reapply more often if you’re sweating heavily, in water, or the sunscreen calls for more frequent application.
- Invest in protective clothing – hats, gloves, sunglasses, and long sleeves and pants all protect against sun damage. Additionally, you may want to invest in UPF protected apparel that is designed with treated fabric to block out UV rays.
- Seek shade – take short breaks from sun exposure in the shade, under umbrellas, or indoors.
- Avoid peak sun hours – between 10 am and 4 pm when sun rays are at their strongest, limit time spent outdoors.
- Perform monthly self-checks – carefully examine skin from the top of the head to the bottoms of the feet. Use mirrors and adequate lighting to see all areas. Note any changes or irregularities.
- Schedule annual professional exams – it’s essential to visit a dermatologist annually for a professional skin cancer exam.
When to See a Dermatologist
With outdoor jobs, skin protection can greatly decrease risk for skin cancer, but even when we’re careful, skin cancer is still a risk. It’s important to schedule annual skin exams with your dermatologist as well as reaching out to schedule a visit right away if you notice:
- New or evolving moles.
- Sores that don’t heal or that reoccur in the same spot.
- Redness, skin thickening, and irritation that doesn’t improve with time.
- Lesions that bleed, itch, or crust over.
Occupational Sun Exposure is a Risk – Minimize it with Proper Care
In conclusion, Dr. Moss says, “Having a high-risk job doesn’t mean you can’t have healthy skin. Skin cancer may be a risk, but it’s also one of the most preventable forms of cancer. With early diagnosis, skin cancers are highly treatable. It all starts with daily care and prevention, monthly self-exams, and annual skin cancer screenings with your dermatologist. It’s also important to understand how to prevent sunburns as having even one serious sunburn increases risk exponentially.”
Schedule an Annual Skin Check with Your Dermatologist
If you work in a high-risk career field, your annual skin exam isn’t optional. It’s essential to keep skin healthy and ensure early diagnosis and intervention. Be proactive to minimize your skin cancer risks with an annual screening from the U.S. Dermatology Partners team. Take just a few moments to fill out our online scheduling request form. Once we hear from you, a team member will reach out to finalize the details of your visit.
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