According to a survey conducted by the Chartered Institute of Horticulture and Plant Network, 12% of respondents working in the horticulture industry reported being diagnosed with some form of skin cancer. The survey focused on awareness of skin cancer and attitudes towards sun safety among industry workers.
The survey received responses from over 700 individuals. It found that men were almost twice as likely to have been diagnosed with skin cancer compared to women. Additionally, respondents with the palest skin tone were twice as likely to have received a skin cancer diagnosis compared to those with darker skin tones.
"It has been humbling to hear the stories of so many horticulturists affected by all forms of skin cancer. In our self-selecting survey, 71% of respondents reported being sunburned at least once per year. Preventing this through proper sun safety is the best way we can prevent skin cancer," said Jason Daff, Secretary of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture.
May is Melanoma Awareness Month, and the Chartered Institute of Horticulture and Plant Network are urging horticulturists to join them in raising awareness about skin cancer. They aim to promote best practices for staying safe in the sun while working in the horticulture industry.
The survey highlights some encouraging examples of sun-safe practices. Women reported being much more likely to wear sunscreen regularly, with 74% saying they use it "always" or "most of the time," compared to only 39% of men. However, 30% of sunscreen users admitted to "rarely" or "never" reapplying sunscreen while working outdoors during the day. When physical work might cause sunscreen to be removed by sweat, it is recommended to reapply every two hours to ensure maximum protection.
One such respondent was freelance horticulturist Anna Ingram, who was diagnosed with malignant melanoma on her arm in 2006. Anna required surgery to remove the melanoma and has since also had a basal cell carcinoma removed from her leg.
Now cancer-free, Anna is eager to emphasize to others the importance of taking sun safety seriously: "Keep an eye on your skin, and if you notice any new moles, get them checked right away. Wear factor 50 sunscreen and reapply it regularly, especially on areas where it might be washed off, like your hands. I always wear long sleeves in the summer and a hat with a wide brim."
Interestingly, the survey revealed a divide in the provision of sunscreen by employers. Larger employers, with more than 250 employees, were more than twice as likely to regularly provide sunscreen for their employees compared to smaller employers.
The full report of the results is available to view here.
Chartered Institute of Horticulture
cih@horticulture.org.uk
www.horticulture.org.uk