Information about the Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension Program 2024
Skin Cancer Prevention for Farmers and Farmworkers: Role of Cooperative Extension Professionals
Frederick N. Bebe Ph.D, Assistant Research Professor Kentucky State University
A Dermatologist using a Dermatoscope in the diagnosis of skin cancer –Courtesy IStock
Close up image of a suspicious mole - Courtesy iStock
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancers, one of the more preventable and highly treatable, if caught early. Melanoma skin cancer causes the vast majority of skin cancer deaths. It is estimated to result in 100,640 cases and 8,290 deaths this year1. The incidence rate has been on the rise the past few decades, and this trend is expected to continue, especially among minority populations. Ultraviolet rays exposure through sunlight is considered the main risk factor for skin cancer, and farmers and farmworkers whose outdoor work exposes them to excessive amounts of sun are among the most vulnerable2.
Studies have shown that farmers are quite knowledgeable about skin cancer, and know sun protective measures are beneficial, but adherence to such measure is suboptimal3. This suboptimal adherence to sun protective behaviors (e.g. the use of sunscreens and wearing of long sleeve shirts and wide-brim hats) represents a significant gap in care, perhaps an indication that decades of public health campaigns have failed to adequately address the increasing incidence of skin cancer among farmers and farmers4. Prevention and management are the keys to reducing risk of diseases, disabilities and deaths, which is the focus of the US Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) “Health People 2030” agenda. Thus, interventions aimed at promoting evidence-based skin cancer screenings and preventive measures are essential to achieving this objective. Within this framework, the USDHHS in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) seek to increase the number of Americans healthy at every stage of life and reduce the financial burden of skin cancer.