Farmers Warned of UV Sunlight Cancer Risks
Irish farmers have a three times higher cancer mortality than blue/white collar workers with UV sunlight skin cancer being a significant cause of this heightened death rate.
According to Dr Triona McCarthy, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, farmers appear to have a number of misunderstandings of the dangers of UV sunlight risks and protective measures. Farmers are particularly vulnerable to this cancer risk due to the length of time they work outdoors and their self-employed work status where controls and social supports are less readily applicable, she stated.
To improve farmers’ knowledge related to occupational skin cancer, Teagasc will hold a public Webinar on this this topic on Wednesday 21