Facility&Operations The Melanoma International Foundation urges Turf managers at everyone to examine their skin regularly, and your loved ones, too. This means looking over increased risk of skin cancer your entire body including your back, your scalp, the soles of your feet, between your toes Editor’s note: Thanks to STMA Board member Jeff Fowler, Penn State extension office, and the palms of your hands. If there are any and the Pennsylvania Cancer Control Consortium (PAC³) for supplying this article. changes in the size, color, shape or texture of a mole, the development of a new mole, or any other unusual changes in the skin, see S THE GROWING SEA MELANOMA NEEDS your primary care physician or a dermatolo- SON APPROACHES, sports EARLY DETECTION gist as soon as possible. turf managers will be hard at This year more than 1 million new cases of work outdoors. Turf managers skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United WEAR LIGHT-COLORED A face many potential hazards in States. Recent studies prove a link between sun- CLOTHING their line of work from machinery injuries to burn and increased risk for melanoma, the Since turf managers spend a great deal of chemical exposures from fertilizers and pesti- deadliest form of skin cancer. One person every time working outdoors, it’s important for them cides. One danger that may not be as visible hour dies from melanoma in the United States. to understand the many ways to protect their comes from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. While turf The good news is that melanoma is highly cur- skin so that they can reduce their chances of de- managers rely on the sun for grass and plants to able if detected on the skin at an early stage. veloping skin cancer. Clothing protection is flourish, they often don’t realize too many of The risk of melanoma can be reduced by pro- most important in protecting the skin. these invisible rays may damage their skin, lead- tecting the skin from the sun and its harmful Hats can protect the most vulnerable head ing to skin cancer, premature aging of the skin, ultraviolet rays. and neck areas from the sun’s rays. While base- and suppression of the immune system. Sunlight consists of two types of harmful ball-type caps will protect the top of the head, rays: ultraviolet A (UVA) rays and ultraviolet B they don’t protect other important areas includ- (UVB) rays. UVA rays (which pass through ing the ears, nose and neck. Turf managers window glass) penetrate deeper into the dermis, should wear wide-brimmed hats. The recom- the thickest layer of the skin. UVA rays can mendation is to wear a hat that has at least a 4- Ingredients to look for on the cause suppression of the immune system, inch brim. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants sunscreen label to ensure broad- which interferes with the immune system’s abil- will help protect the arms and legs. Wearing spectrum UV coverage include: • oxybenzone ity to protect you against the development and tightly woven lightweight and light-colored fab- • octyl methoxycinnamate spread of skin cancer. UVA exposure also is ric can actually keep the body cooler in the sun • cinoxate known to lead to signs of premature aging of and will protect against cancer-causing rays. • sulisobenzone the skin, such as wrinkling and age spots. The There are many companies that manufacture • octyl salicylate UVB rays are the sun’s burning rays (which are high quality, sun-protective clothing. And there • menthyl anthranilate blocked by window glass) and are the primary is a sun-protective solution by Rit Dye that you • titanium dioxide can wash into everyday clothing to make it pro- • zinc oxide cause of sunburn. A good way to remember it • avobenzone (Parsol 1789) is that UVA rays are the aging rays and UVB tective. • ecamsule (Mexoryl SX) rays are the burning rays. Excessive exposure to both forms of UV rays can lead to the develop- CHOOSE WATERPROOF ment of skin cancer. SUNSCREEN EVEN ON The U.S. Department of Health & Human CLOUDY DAYS Services has declared ultraviolet (UV) radiation You should apply sunscreen every day to ex- from the sun and artificial sources, such as tan- posed skin—and not just if you are going to be ning beds and sun lamps, as a known carcino- in the sun. While UVB rays cannot penetrate gen (cancer-causing substance). glass windows, UVA rays can, leaving you prone to these damaging effects if unprotected. MEN MORE AT RISK For days when you are going to be indoors, Men are more likely to die from melanoma apply sunscreen on the areas not covered by most likely due to late detection. Common lo- clothing, such as the face and hands. Sunscreens cations where melanoma can develop include can be applied under makeup, or alternatively, the back, arms, neck and shoulders. Women there are many cosmetic products available that get more melanomas on their legs. Turf man- contain sunscreens for daily use. agers with years of outdoor sun exposure are Don’t reserve the use of sunscreen only for more likely to develop a form of melanoma sunny days. Even on a cloudy day, up to 80% that occurs more commonly on the head and of the sun’s ultraviolet rays can pass through the neck region. This type of melanoma can resem- clouds. Sunscreen should be applied to dry skin ble a large, dark freckle with irregular borders. 15-30 minutes BEFORE going outdoors. Sun lotion illustration ©istockphoto/touc 18 SportsTurf | March 2011 www.sportsturfonline.com When using sunscreen, be sure to apply it to all so they cannot be easily removed by sweating or • Border irregularity-The edges are ragged, exposed areas, and pay particular attention to swimming, and should have an SPF of 15 or notched or blurred. the face, ears, hands and arms. Coat the skin higher that provides broad-spectrum coverage • Color-The pigmentation is not uniform. liberally and rub it in thoroughly; most people against both UVA and UVB light. Ingredients Different shades of tan, brown or black are apply only 25-50 percent of the recommended to look for on the sunscreen label to ensure often present. Dashes of red, white and blue amount of sunscreen. One ounce, enough to broad-spectrum UV coverage include: oxyben- can add to the mottled appearance. fill the palm of your hand, is considered the zone, octyl methoxycinnamate, cinoxate, • Diameter-While melanomas are usually amount needed to cover the exposed areas of sulisobenzone, octyl salicylate, menthyl an- greater than 6 mm in diameter when diag- the body properly. Don’t forget that lips get thranilate, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, nosed, they can be smaller. If you notice a mole sunburned, too. Apply a lip balm that contains avobenzone (Parsol 1789), ecamsule (Mexoryl that is different than others, or if you notice a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Be sure SX) mole that changes, itches or bleeds, even if it is to toss outdated sunscreen, as it will have lost Although working outdoors when the sun is smaller than 6 mm, you should see a dermatol- its effectiveness. Reapply sunscreen frequently less intense, before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., may ogist. during the day. not be feasible, sometimes rescheduling chores • Evolving-You should always be suspicious There are so many types of sunscreen that where exposure is lessened can be achieved. of a new or changing mole on your skin. selecting the right one can be confusing. Sun- Seeking shade may have obstacles, but creating It’s never too late to protect yourself from screens are available in many forms, including shade where you work with an umbrella or an the sun and minimize your future risk of skin ointments, creams, gels, lotions, sprays and wax awning is a great idea. You certainly now see cancer. Understanding how to best protect your sticks. The type of sunscreen you choose is a more mowers, carts and utility vehicles with a skin from the sun can help prevent melanoma, matter of personal choice. Creams are best for canopy to protect the operator from exposure the deadliest form of skin cancer. individuals with dry skin, but gels are prefer- to the elements. able in hairy areas, such as the scalp or male If you notice a mole on your skin, you FOR MORE INFORMATION chest. Sticks are good around the eyes. Creams should follow the simple ABCDE rule, which Melanoma International Foundation, typically yield a thicker application than lotions outlines the warning signs of melanoma: www.melanomaintl.org and are best for the face. • Asymmetry-One half does not match the American Academy of Dermatology, Ideally, sunscreens should be water-resistant, other half. www.aad.org ■ www.stma.org SportsTurf 19.