During the summer months it’s not only the traffic you’ll need to contend with, but the heat. And more importantly, the damaging UV rays.
Australia has some of the highest levels of UV radiation in the world. In fact, our UV radiation is so strong it can cause sunburn in as little as 10 minutes on a hot January day. So, it won’t shock you that 2 in 3 Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70, and 95% of skin cancer is caused by, you guessed it, exposure to UV radiation.
It’s common knowledge that tradies spend a lot of their time outside which increases their UV exposure and ultimately, their risk of skin cancer. What might surprise you though is that many tradies (22%) “don’t believe sunscreen is necessary every day.” – Cancer Council.
So, to protect your skin during the summer months, we’ve created a checklist you can refer to when hitting the road.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology (September 19, 2023), we’ll be seeing higher temperatures, dryer conditions, and less rainfall than previous years. But the biggest issue with living in a country that has a hole in the ozone is its dangerous UV rays.
Before we get into how you can protect yourself, let’s see what you’re protecting yourself against and why:
Two things to know about UV rays.
- Unlike sunlight, UV can’t be seen or felt.
- Overexposure (sun baking or working outdoors with little protection from the sun) to ultraviolet radiation is the major cause of skin cancers.
Did you know?
- During summer, Australia is closer to the sun (compared to Europe).
- On average, the solar intensity in Australia is 7% higher than most countries.
- Our clearer atmospheric conditions means we’re exposed to up to 15% more UV than Europeans.
Types of Skin Cancer
Types of skin cancer can be categorised into two groups – melanoma and non-melanoma. Every year, over a million new cases of non-melanoma skin cancers are treated in Australia. Melanoma, on the other hand, is less common (approximately 15,000 Australians treated each year), but it is far more life-threatening due to the high likelihood that it spreads to other parts of the body. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are the most common forms of skin cancer in Australia and fall into the latter category.
Factors that Increase Your Risk
Unprotected exposure to UV radiation is not the only factor to consider when it comes to development of skin cancer, having pale skin, red or fair hair, light-coloured eyes, moles, and/or a family history of skin cancer all can pose a risk.
The UV Index
The UV Index is a tool used to monitor UV rays during the day. It lets you know when levels are at their highest so you can be extra-vigilant about your sun safety. UV Index ratings are broken up into various categories:
- Low (1-2)
- Moderate (3-5)
- High (6-7)
- Very High (8-10)
- Extreme (11 and above)
In summer, many cities across Australia can have a UV Index of 11 and above. Thankfully, the Cancer Council has developed the SunSmart app that gives you real-time UV forecasts as well as sun protection advice.
As a country that prides itself on enjoying the outdoors, we need to be smart about how we protect ourselves during the summer. For tradies and truckies, many are exposed to the sun for long periods of time. Thankfully, there are a number of actions that can be taken to help lower the risk of getting skin cancer.
Slip. Slop. Slap. Seek. Slide.
For those of you who remember the iconic Cancer Council ‘Slip Slop Slap’ sun safety campaign from the early 80s (no need for a show of hands, we’re not here to age anyone!), you may have noticed a couple more S’s have been added. But, this message is still relevant, so let’s recap:
Slip… on a shirt.
Whether you’re driving through the streets or slogging it out on a job site, wearing a long sleeve shirt will protect most of your upper body from the sun’s harmful rays. Most hi-vis workwear is now UV rated for sun protection, and the material is light and breathable. Most companies will provide your uniform, but if not, you can claim your uniform back at tax time.
Slop… on some sunscreen.
For the parts of you that are left exposed to the sun, applying sunscreen will offer greater protection. It’s recommended that you apply SPF50 sunscreen liberally, and regularly throughout the day. We strongly advise you keep some in your cabin and on your worksite
Slap… on a hat.
If you’re a truckie, there’s a good chance you won’t be wearing a hat while you drive. But you’ll need to get out of the truck to unload your delivery. This is when you’ll thank us. While caps are usually the standard, the ideal hat is one with a 360-degree wide brim (think bucket or Bunnings hat) as it offers greater protection from the sun.
Seek… shade.
If you’re taking a break, finding shade will greatly reduce the effects of UV rays. If you’re on a building site where shade is scarce, you can set up a marquee and leave it up while you’re on-site, giving the whole crew a place to relax. If you’re a truckie, you may also want to invest in a sunvisor for your vehicle. Not only does it help with your vision while driving, but it also filters out harmful UV rays.
Slide… on shades.
Sunnies are more than a fashion statement. They’re great for protecting your eyes. When getting a pair of sunnies, there are a few things you should look for:
- Close fitting, wrap around, large lens sunnies will provide the greatest protection.
- Choose sunglasses with an Australian Standard AS/NZS 1067.1:2016 rating that have a lens category of 2, 3 or 4 on their tag. They absorb 95% of UV radiation.
- Sunglasses that are categories 0 and 1 are fashion glasses and don’t offer adequate protection against UV.
- Some glasses are marked with an Eye Protection Factor (EPF). Glasses with an EPF of 9 or 10 provide excellent protection blocking almost all UV radiation.
There are many ways to protect yourself from getting skin cancer. However, there is one final approach that is completely in your hands, and that’s getting your skin checked for cancers.
There are five things you need to look out for (according to the Cancer Council):
- Asymmetry: Check for spots that lack symmetry.
- Border: A spot with a spreading or irregular edge
- Colour: Does your spot have several colours like black, blue, red, white or grey?
- Diameter: Have you noticed if a spot is getting bigger over time?
- Evolving: Are your spots changing and growing as you check them?
It’s advised that you check yourself every three months and get a check-up every six months from a doctor. So, if you’re not sure about a spot on your body, book yourself into see your doctor, just to be on the safe side.