Professional Drivers at Risk for Skin Cancer

In a recent article by Risk and Insurance Online, they tackled the issue of professional drivers being at risk for skin cancer based on the amount of sun they get while driving.  They cite a recent study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, in which researchers from the Saint Louis University School of Medicine found that drivers were at an increased risk of facial skin cancers, predominantly on the left side of the body. This really should come as no shock given the amount of sun one can get or feel just driving from home to the grocery store.

There are over 1 million cases of skin cancer reported each year. Last year 12,000 deaths were caused by melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer.  Drivers already have to be aware of back problems and the potential for accidents and therefore should be just as concerned about skin cancer and its signs. According the American Cancer Society here are some signs to look for and have checked out should they appear:

• Changes in a mole- These include changes such as its size, shape, or color. The ACS has a system they call the ABCD System to monitor changes in moles.

o   Asymmetry: One half of a mole or birthmark does not match the other.

o   Border: The edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred.

o   Color: The color is not the same all over and may include shades of brown or black, or there may be patches of pink, red, white, or blue.

o   Diameter: The spot is larger than about ¼ inch (the size of a pencil eraser), but melanomas can be smaller than this.

•   A sore that does not heal

• Spread of color from the border of a spot to the skin around it
• Redness or a new swelling beyond the border
• Itchiness, tenderness, or pain
• Change in the surface of a mole -- scaliness, oozing, bleeding, or a new bump or nodule

There are easy steps that can be taken to prevent this from happening. They are:

• Wear sunscreen and lip balm- Anything with an SPF of 30 or more will give you adequate protection. Make sure to re-apply every few hours to ensure its effectiveness. Keep a bottle in the glove box ready to go.

• Wear a hat- Trucker caps, baseball caps, and boonie caps are good for more than fashion or supporting your favorite team! They help to protect your forehead, eyes, ears, neck and nose from those harmful UV rays.

• Wear long sleeved shirts- Long sleeved shirts will keep the sun off of your arm while it rests on the window. Collared polo type shirts are also a good idea as they will protect your neck. 

It isn’t hard to protect yourself from the dangers of UV rays. Most people just don’t think about the dangers the sun presents even while in a vehicle. How do you and your drivers help keep yourselves healthy and skin cancer free? Do you provide sunscreen? Hats? Bandanas? Share your ideas in the comments below.