A Donegal man who was diagnosed with skin cancer at the age of 33 is urging other outdoor workers to beware of the risks.
Paul Darby from Stranorlar is a roofer by trade. Despite working outdoors since he was 16, Paul had never taken precautions to protect his skin.
Last December he noticed a freckle had slightly changed on his ear.
“It turned into a wee brown spot,” he said. “I passed no heed as I was back boxing at the time and I thought maybe I just got hit on the ear.”
It was only when a friend pointed out that it could be something more sinister, that he decided to get it checked.
Paul’s doctor told him that the mark had all the telltale signs of a melanoma.
Paul had the mole removed and a biopsy later confirmed it was an invasive melanoma.
A timely diagnosis led to the removal of the cancerous mole and subsequent skin grafts.
Now under regular medical supervision, Paul has also been advised to wear hats and sunscreen from now on as he is at a higher risk of getting another skin cancer diagnosis.
Paul said: “My message to anyone listening is to know what your skin normally looks like, and check your skin and moles regularly for changes as this will help you spot a possible melanoma at the earliest possible stage. Contact your GP if you notice any changes to your skin that are causing you concern.”
Paul shared his experience as part of the HSE’s SunSmart campaign to avoid skin cancer.
The HSE National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) and Healthy Ireland advise if you work outdoors, you are exposed to 2-3 times more UV radiation from the sun than people who work indoors. Putting you at high risk of developing skin cancer, the most common form of cancer in Ireland, with over 11,000 cases annually.
Dr Breeda Neville, Specialist in Public Health, NCCP, HSE, says: “Outdoor workers need to protect themselves by following the SunSmart steps, and employers should be aware of their responsibility to protect their employees. Employers can also reinforce the SunSmart message by providing employee education to workers about the dangers of UV radiation and the importance of sun protection.”
The Healthy Ireland SunSmart steps include: wearing protective clothing like long sleeves and a collared t-shirt; applying sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher; wearing a wide-brimmed hat or hard hat with a brim and a neck flap; seeking shade during peak UV hours (11am-3pm); and wearing wraparound sunglasses.
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