Melanoma in outdoor workers

Outdoor work can mean repeated exposure to sunlight during construction, farming, delivery, landscaping, security, sport, or other jobs. Ultraviolet radiation can damage skin cells, and exposure can occur on the face, ears, neck, forearms, hands, and other uncovered areas. Melanoma may begin in ordinary-looking skin or in an existing mole and can appear as a new or changing mark.

Work-related exposure does not mean every changing mark is melanoma. Look for a spot that changes in size, shape, colour, or sensation, or a sore that does not heal. A clinician can examine the whole skin surface and decide whether closer assessment is needed.

Use shade whenever duties allow, wear tightly woven long sleeves and a broad-brimmed hat, and use suitable sunscreen on exposed skin according to its label. Reapply as directed, especially after sweating. Check areas that are easy to miss, including the scalp, ears, neck, backs of hands, and between fingers. Ask a colleague or family member to look at the scalp and back. Read more about Melanoma for general information.

Arrange a medical skin assessment for a new mark or one that evolves, bleeds, crusts, itches persistently, or differs from the other marks on your skin. Seek prompt advice for a changing mole in a hard-to-see area rather than waiting for a routine workplace check. Urgency follows the warning feature and its change over time, not the fact that someone works outdoors.

Ask which marks need monitoring, whether your work history changes the recommended examination schedule, and how to check difficult areas. Ask for practical advice on protective clothing and sunscreen during your specific duties, including heat, sweating, and long shifts.