Those of us working from offices, or our own homes, aren’t expecting danger pay. However, what about those who have jobs that heighten the risk of getting skin cancer?
While many jobs may fit that bill, data on one group is startling: according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, serving in the US military means you are 60% more likely to develop skin cancer.
Recently, it has been revealed that a number of veterans have gone through as many as 20 surgeries and multiple treatments for skin cancer, as a result of their time in service. A 2018 review, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (JAAD), suggested that service in tropical environments was associated with an increased incidence of both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer among World War II soldiers. The authors also noted that risk was varied between divisions, with the highest rates found in the United States Air Force.1 For ground-based military, prolonged sun exposure in areas with a high UV-index and poor protection were found to induce skin DNA damage, leading to elevated skin cancer rates.
In an interview with ABC Action News, Roy Breitenbach, an 80-year-old US Marine veteran who has been battling basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) for over a decade said, “I’m not shocked. We spend a lot of time in the sun… and back then there was no such thing as sunblock. We were just out in the sun.” BCC and SCC are both caused by long-term sun exposure, the result of repeated and cumulative damage from ultraviolet (UV) light.
On the other side of the Atlantic, research into skin cancer risks from military service is less coherent. However, a European-wide study of skin cancer in outdoor workers concluded that the risk of BCC, SCC, melanoma and actinic keratosis (AK) were significantly increased for workers with over five years of outdoor work. The reasons for this were listed as greater UV exposure (both occupational and leisure), poorer sunscreen use and lower health literacy.
| Examples of outdoor occupations involving substantial periods outdoors |
| Construction workers |
| Farmers / farm workers |
| Fishermen |
| Gardeners |
| Lifeguards |
| Military personnel |
| Pilots and air crew |
| Postal workers |
| Sports instructors, especially water sports |
| Alarmingly, research has consistently shown that workers in each of these fields often don’t protect themselves adequately, even when the know the risks. One study showed 1/3 of agricultural and construction workers had been sunburnt in the previous year. |
So, when you are scoping out a possible job, investigate more than its perks and benefits … find out about all the risks. Regardless of your occupation, it is important to minimise your risk of skin cancer, and slow UV-induced skin damage by protecting exposed areas of skin with UV-protective clothing and broad-spectrum sunscreen. As world experts in light and skin biology, CLINUVEL introduced the concepts of medicinal photoprotection, and we are excited to be translating our technology for the benefit of broader audiences.
1 In fact, a 2014 review in JAMA Dermatology, published by the American Medical Association, suggested that commercial pilots and crew are also at greater risk, with twice the incidence of melanoma compared with the general population. For flight-based workers in particular, the greater occupational risk is thought to be caused by repeated altitude-related exposure to UV and cosmic radiation. That said, more modern aircraft windows are typically built with far greater UV block, and there isn’t substantial evidence to suggest that passengers are submitted to an increased risk.
I am often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and keep checking for new information.
I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your site. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Outstanding work!
Wonderful site. Plenty of helpful info here. I am sending it to some buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And obviously, thank you on your sweat!
This web site is really a walk-through for all of the info you wanted about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and you’ll definitely discover it.
Wonderful goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you are just too great. I really like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you’re stating and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still take care of to keep it wise. I cant wait to read much more from you. This is actually a terrific web site.
I appreciate, cause I found just what I was looking for. You’ve ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
I like what you guys are up also. Such smart work and reporting! Carry on the excellent works guys I?¦ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my web site 🙂
Precisely what I was looking for, thanks for putting up.
Hi there very cool website!! Man .. Beautiful .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your site and take the feeds additionally?KI’m glad to search out a lot of helpful info here in the put up, we’d like develop more strategies in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
Aw, this was a really nice post. In idea I would like to put in writing like this moreover – taking time and precise effort to make an excellent article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and not at all appear to get one thing done.
An fascinating dialogue is value comment. I think that you must write more on this topic, it may not be a taboo subject however generally people are not sufficient to talk on such topics. To the next. Cheers
A lot of of the things you articulate happens to be astonishingly legitimate and that makes me ponder why I had not looked at this in this light previously. This particular piece truly did switch the light on for me personally as far as this specific topic goes. Nevertheless there is one particular issue I am not really too comfortable with so whilst I make an effort to reconcile that with the actual core idea of your position, permit me see what all the rest of your visitors have to point out.Very well done.
Great write-up, I?¦m normal visitor of one?¦s website, maintain up the nice operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.