Do you work in the sun? Then you'd better be careful!

We all love the sun. It feels warm and brightens our day.

But for people who work outdoors, too much sun over the years can lead to serious health problems. The link between skin cancer and overexposure to the sun is well established. Long-term exposure to the sun has also been implicated in the development of cataracts.

So what can be done to protect the thousands of Canadians who work outside and are exposed to the sun when it is at its most powerful?

The Canadian Dermatology Association (CDA), which represents dermatologists across Canada, has for the past ten years launched an annual campaign to warn Canadians about the dangers of too much sun. Each year, under its Sun Awareness program, CDA members remind Canadians to protect themselves from the sun. Many Canadians at risk

Recent studies have shown that outdoor workers are four times more likely than other workers to develop squamous cell carcinoma, the second most common form of skin cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma can cause pain and disfigurement and, in a small number of cases, can also spread to other areas of the body and even lead to death.

Is it inevitable?

Skin cancer is the easiest form of cancer to prevent, and most types of skin cancer, even the less common but potentially-deadly melanoma, can be cured if treated at an early stage. If the disease is not caught early enough, however, it can be fatal. Dr. Jason Rivers, national director of the CDA's Sun Awareness Program, says, "The fact is there's no good treatment for advanced melanoma. It`s better to prevent skin cancer than to fight it."

So what can be done to prevent the disease? According to the experts, a good cancer prevention program should have three components: awareness, specific prevention measures and early screening.

Awareness

Outdoor workers should be made aware of the hazards of frequent, prolonged exposure to the sun. Employers can help by obtaining information from the CDA and passing it on to their employees. Occupational safety and health committees can play a useful role, too. Sun exposure should be treated the same as any other occupational safety and health problem.

In Canada, occupational safety and health regulations vary from one jurisdiction to the next. As a result, not all jurisdictions have specific rules governing exposure to ultraviolet rays. However, all jurisdictions require employers to provide their employees with a safe workplace. Protection from ultraviolet rays therefore has to be provided in some way.

"Outdoor workers who have pale skin and who burn easily when out in the sun, and those with blond or red hair, freckles and lots of moles, are most at risk for skin cancer and should be particularly vigilant," Dr. Rivers says.

Protection

Once they have learned about the potential danger of sun exposure, outdoor workers have to take real steps to protect themselves, and employers have to help them along.

Workers should, for example, wear proper clothing (long-sleeved shirts and long pants made of a tightly woven fabric, loose clothing) and expose as little skin as possible to the sun. A wide-brimmed hat with something to cover the neck protects the parts of the body that are most susceptible to skin cancer (nose, earlobes, face). Workers should also protect their eyes by wearing sunglasses that meet Canadian standard Z94.5-95.

Exposed skin should also be protected with a sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 15 that blocks out both UVA and UVB rays. The sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before exposure and reapplied at least every two hours, especially if the person is sweating. Special lip balm helps protect the lips; many cancers develop on the lower lip. Workers should try to work in the shade as much as possible and take advantage of breaks to get out of the sun. Because the sun is most dangerous between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm, extra precautions should be taken during that period.

Outdoor workers should also know that clouds can let the sun's rays through and that reflective surfaces like sand, snow and concrete can reflect up to 85% of the sun's harmful rays. Some drugs (antibiotics, for example) make people more sensitive to the sun; a doctor or pharmacist can provide more information.

Employers can help their employees protect themselves from the sun. Arranging the schedule so that employees work early in the morning or late in the day, erecting temporary shelters or moving some tasks indoors are measures that can often be taken without too much difficulty. The important thing is to think and be alert.

Screening

The earlier skin cancer is detected, the greater the chances of it being cured. The cure rate for some types of cancer can be as high as 95% if the disease is caught in time. Regular self-examination to look for changes in moles or other spots on the skin are therefore very important, especially for people who are at greater risk. There's no trick to it! It's simply a matter of examining the skin closely and going to see a doctor if there are any doubts. Outdoor workers should get into the habit of having their skin examined whenever they go to the doctor for any reason. It only takes a few minutes, and it can save their life!