IFA & HSE Join Encourage Farmers to be SunSmart to Reduce Risks of Skin Cancer

The IFA and HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) have teamed up to encourage farmers to be SunSmart and to protect their skin from the sun to reduce their risk of skin cancer.

IFA Farm Family & Social Affairs Chair Alice Doyle said that farmers are exposed to 2-3 times more UV radiation from the sun compared with people who work indoors, putting them at a higher risk of skin cancer.

“To reduce the risk of skin damage, farmers should organise their day so that you are in the shade when UV rays are strongest from 11am to 3pm,” she said.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland, with over 13,000 new cases diagnosed every year. Nine out of every 10 cases are caused by UV rays from the sun or sunbeds.

Dr Triona McCarthy, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, HSE’s NCCP said that working outdoors is an everyday part of farming life but it is important to take simple steps to protect skin from the sun to reduce the risk of skin cancer.

“Don’t just wait for hot and sunny days to use sun protection – UV from the sun is damaging, even on cool, cloudy days. It is important to protect skin from April to September as you cannot see or feel the UV rays which cause damage to the skin.”

The SunSmart 5 S’s campaign encourages people to protect their skin from the sun by:

Slip on clothing that covers your skin such as long sleeves, collared t-shirts;

Slop on sunscreen on exposed areas, using factor 30+ for adults and apply 20 minutes before going outside. Reapply regularly – more often if sweating;

Slap on a wide-brimmed hat, hard hats and helmets can have attachable brims and neck flaps;

Seek shade especially if outdoors between 11am and 3pm. Farmers can check the sun’s UV forecast for your area on Met Eireann’s website or app at www.met.ie/uv-index;

Slide on sunglasses to protect your eyes.

More information on the SunSmart campaign is available on www.hse.ie/sunsmart.