Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer:
As per the World Health Organization, about one in every three deaths that take place from nonmelanoma skin cancer is reportedly caused by working outdoors under the sun.
Highlights of the report:
- In 2019, approximately 6 billion people of working age (15 years and older) were exposed to solar ultraviolet radiation while working outdoors, accounting for 28 per cent of all working-age people.
- In the same year, nearly 19,000 people in 183 countries died from non-melanoma skin cancer as a result of working outside in the sun. The majority (65 per cent) were men.
- Governments should establish, implement and enforce policies and regulations that protect outdoor workers from sun-induced skin cancer
Non-melanoma skin cancer:
- It refers to a group of cancers that develop in the upper layers of the skin.
- The main types are basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
- The main cause is ultraviolet light, which comes from the sun and is used in sunbeds.
- It is more common in older people, but younger people can also get it.
- Symptoms:
- The main symptom of non-melanoma skin cancer is a growth or unusual patch on the skin, but it’s most common in areas exposed to the sun, such as head, face and ears neck and shoulders etc.
- Treatment:
- Surgery is the main treatment for non-melanoma skin cancer. Radiotherapy, targeted medicines, photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy are also sometimes used.
