| JULY 2, 2011 -- “You have malignant melanoma.”
Hearing those words as the doctor informed me that my lymph-node biopsy was positive changed my world forever.
As someone who loves the outdoors and spent a lot of time in the sun (working and playing), having a dark complexion meant nothing. While friends and relatives burned easily, I didn’t and never gave it much thought. The diagnosis of stage III malignant melanoma in 2001 changed that; I was 41, the father of two school-aged children, had a mortgage to pay, and had my whole life ahead of me. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and the diagnosis took me on a multi-year odyssey that included three surgeries and an intensive year-long chemotherapy regimen. I'm lucky. I am here to talk about it.
There are some things in life that we simply cannot control. Exposure to the sun is one place that each of us can affect our destiny. Being ever mindful of the negative effects of the sun can limit your chances of skin cancer.
There are simple things that you can and should do to limit your exposure and risk from the harmful rays of the sun. Please read and follow the advice of the American Academy of Dermatology below. Do these things for yourself, your family, and the future of your farm business.
I speak from experience.
Make Skin Check a Priority (From the American Academy of Dermatology)
Farming has plenty of challenges, but probably one of the hazards that farmers worry about the least is the danger from working in the sun year round. Farmers should pay attention to the condition of their skin. When detected early, skin cancer has a cure rate of 99 percent. Since research shows farmers are among the least likely workers to receive a skin examination by a physician, it's important that farmers perform regular skin self examinations, which could mean the difference between life and death.
It’s as easy as “ABC” to remember how you can identify a mole or lesion that needs dermatologist attention:
Asymmetry - one half is unlike the other
Border -irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined
Color- varies from one area to another
Diameter - the size of a pencil eraser or larger
Evolving -changing in size, shape or color
To help farmers minimize their risk of skin cancer, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends that everyone be sun smart:
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Use water-resistant sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 on all exposed skin before heading outdoors. Re-apply every two hours, even on cloudy days.
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Wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses.
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Stay in the shade when possible, and make sure your tractor has a sun umbrella. The sun is strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
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If working near water, snow, or sand, seek extra shade because these surfaces reflect the sun’s rays and increase your chance of sunburn.
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Look at your skin after each harvest. Ask a partner to help. If you notice any moles or spots changing, growing or bleeding, make an appointment to see a dermatologist.
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