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File photo Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Skin cancer deaths in Ireland: One in four are construction workers or farmers

Workers in these industries are being urged to be aware of the risks of exposure to the sun.

THE IRISH CANCER Society has said that almost one in four (23%) deaths from skin cancer in Ireland are from those in the construction, outdoor and farming industries.

As it launches its annual SunSmart campaign, the society is urging people working in those industries, in particular, to remain vigilant of the risks around ongoing exposure to the sun, even in the climate we have here in Ireland.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, cancer prevention manager at the Irish Cancer Society Kevin O’Hagan said that construction workers and farmers don’t fully realise the risk of getting skin cancer and urged employers to make sure their employees understand the dangers.

“It’s vital we pay heed to this in Ireland this summer,” he said.

The Irish Cancer Society cites research in the British Journal of Cancer which showed that working in the sun could lead to around one death and around five cases of melanoma per week.

In the UK, four in ten construction workers diagnosed with a melanoma died from the disease, as did just over two in ten farmers.

O’Hagan said: “Coupled with the research from the UK, it shows just how extensive, and unfortunately fatal, sun damage can be for outdoor workers.

You don’t have to be in a Mediterranean country for the sun to do damage to your skin and Irish people need to wise up to that.

The society advises people to follow a few simple steps to take as much care as possible if they are faced with exposure to the sun. They include seeking the shade, covering your bare skin with clothes, wearing sunglasses and using sunscreen.

The Irish Cancer Society has enlisted the help of the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) and the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA).

Both acknowledge that their members spend quite a lot of time exposed to the sun, and that they need to understand the risks associated with that.

CIF director general Tom Parlon said: “It’s too serious not to”.

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28 Comments
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    Mute Kay Curtin
    Favourite Kay Curtin
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    May 1st 2017, 11:10 AM

    https://melanomainme.com I should declare my interest in this subject I am stage 4 patient with incurable Melanoma had many bad sunburns as a child/teen and used a sunbed before my wedding as I knew no better back then I sincerely hope none of you ever get this disease because although great advancement has been made 4 of the current global accepted best treatments are not reimbursed for Irish patients because of cost. Knowing there is a treatment available that helps 68% of patients stay alive and for some give total remission is heartbreaking we have a petition going so would appreciate support
    https://www.change.org/p/department-of-health-ireland-the-approval-of-new-treatments-for-all-melanoma-patients-living-in-ireland?recruiter=361390864&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink

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    Mute john Appleseed
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    May 1st 2017, 11:19 AM

    Done. Wishing you all the best Kay.

    89
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    Mute Kay Curtin
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    May 1st 2017, 11:33 AM

    @john Appleseed: ❤️Thank You support is really appreciated

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    Mute Tony Daly
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    May 1st 2017, 11:36 AM

    @Kay Curtin: I will support this. 68% is a very high rate.

    Advances are being made. Who knows when the next break through will happen.

    Hope can be terrifying but please hope .

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    Mute Niall O'Reilly
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    May 1st 2017, 11:41 AM

    @Kay Curtin: I signed and hope you quickly realise your target of 1500 signatures. Take care

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    Mute Kay Curtin
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    May 1st 2017, 11:45 AM

    @Tony Daly: originally if you became stage 4 you were lucky to live 6-9 months I am alive 2 years later because of new advancements in treatments I get one on compassionate grounds from Pharma the 68% relates to IPI/Nivo we have NO access to that in ireland those figures are for two years but as time goes on and data is updated it will hopefully be even longer there is a big difference between 6 months and two years which would anyone prefer!!

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    Mute Kate Flaherty
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    May 1st 2017, 11:57 AM

    @Kay Curtin: Done, only takes a minute folks!, continue fighting the good fight Kay!xxxx

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    Mute Kay Curtin
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    May 1st 2017, 12:13 PM

    @Kate Flaherty: thanks Kate I hope very much to be around for a long time yet

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    Mute Gerry Fitz
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    May 1st 2017, 12:18 PM

    @Kay Curtin: Signed.

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    Mute Kay Curtin
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    May 1st 2017, 12:21 PM

    @Gerry Fitz: thanks for taking the time to support us Gerry

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    Mute Suzie Sunshine
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    May 1st 2017, 11:24 AM

    It’s hard to change people’s mindsets sometimes .. especially elderly farmers . As for the lads taking the t-shirts off while they work .. unless you sunscreen on .. leave the t-shirts on . Might save your life !

    41
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    Mute Kay Curtin
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    May 1st 2017, 11:38 AM

    @Suzie Sunshine: well said Suzie Irish people joke about how little sun we get it doesn’t need to be beating down UV penetrates clouds and does the damage if you need a tan just fake it our rates of all skin cancers are through the roof it’s the fastest rise in numbers of all cancers in Ireland and Melanoma is really aggressive and unfortunately still taking many 27% that die are under age 50

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    Mute Suzie Sunshine
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    May 1st 2017, 11:57 AM

    @Kay Curtin: your strength and positivity will see you through. . Best wishes for the future ! Petition signed …

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    Mute Davor Niksic
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    May 1st 2017, 11:00 AM

    Yeah, make sure you apply plenty of sun cream when out in Irish sun…

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    Mute Stouts O Shea
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    May 1st 2017, 11:02 AM

    Don’t worry, at this minute the IFA will be pressing for a subsidy/ grant for severely disavantaged farmers prone to skin cancer,
    Beacon hospital of course

    16
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    Mute Kevin Keating
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    May 1st 2017, 10:52 AM

    So dose that mean that 3 out of 4 who get skin cancer never go outside ????

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    Mute Kay Curtin
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    May 1st 2017, 10:58 AM

    @Kevin Keating: you seem to spend your time inside trolling and making stupid remarks so you’re out of danger

    135
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    Mute Stouts O Shea
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    May 1st 2017, 11:05 AM

    @Kay Curtin: bitchy this morning Kay? What happened you miss Mrs brown sat night?

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    Mute Catherine Sims
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    May 1st 2017, 11:28 AM

    @Stouts O Shea: she might be bitchy as she is a stage four incurable sufferer of this disease and instead of taking the article seriously and helping create awareness there are idiots trolling. Usually they troll because they have achieving nothing in their lives and this is the only way they can feel any sense of accomplishment. It’s sad really.

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    Mute Kay Curtin
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    May 1st 2017, 11:41 AM

    @Catherine Sims: thank you Catherine it breaks my heart and infuriates me when I see people being flippant about this especially when it’s preventable in majority of cases

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    Mute Eoin Faz
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    May 1st 2017, 12:17 PM

    The real headline here should have been: Working outdoors increases your risk of skin cancer by X%

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    Mute Kay Curtin
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    May 1st 2017, 12:22 PM

    @Eoin Faz: agreed the prevention messages on skin cancer unfortunately are few in Ireland and a clear statement would be better there is enough confusion regarding it already

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    Mute Lisa O'Connor
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    May 1st 2017, 12:36 PM

    I want to know if there’s any mole screenings in Ireland? I’m covered in moles and already at an increased risk. I used to be so careless in the sun until i went to the doctor over a different issue and he was alarmed by the amount of moles I had. The damage is done. I do take care in the sun now but i don’t want to wait to be referred on when i find something new. I want to do something now.

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    Mute Rathminder
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    May 1st 2017, 1:01 PM

    Lisa: You should be getting regular skin checks by a dermatologist who charts and watches those moles. Your GP should be willing to refer you as you’re high risks.

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    Mute Kay Curtin
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    May 1st 2017, 1:04 PM

    @Lisa O’Connor: if you go to your GP and they feel you have any suspicious looking ones you will be referred to a pigmented lesions clinic but I agree it can be still be slow depending on what GP writes on referring letter I believe you can have a skin exam at Vhi swift clinics or there are private clinics providing mole mapping I wouldn’t rely on any of the downloaded apps technology is improving but not 100% there yet so just useful as a guide we always say if in doubt go get it checked out!!

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    Mute Shauna McDermott
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    May 1st 2017, 10:18 PM

    @Lisa O’Connor: I got my moles checked a few months ago- I have a load of them and wanted to make sure there was no dangerous ones to worry about. My GP referred me on to a specialist who did a full body mapping and analysis. It showed up clear of any issues which was fab. It was expensive but very professionally done and well worth it for the peace of mind.

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    Mute Bridget O'Hanlon
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    May 1st 2017, 12:09 PM

    So 3 in 4 are not in these industries? What does that tell us? Sweet nothing

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    Mute Kay Curtin
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    May 1st 2017, 12:17 PM

    @Bridget O’Hanlon: it tells us everyone or anyone can be affected by this if they don’t take Sun safety seriously

    18
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