Protect the Skin you Work in! Skin Cancer Prevention Campaign Launches at Royal Cornwall Show.

Yesterday our team met with BBC Spotlight at The Royal Cornwall Show as we launched our new Prevention Skin Cancer Campaign to bring awareness to outdoor workers around the risks of skin cancer.

Did you know?
Outdoor workers are less likely to seek medical advice for several reasons:

Work Commitments – Many outdoor jobs, like farming or construction, involve long hours and physically demanding work, leaving little time for medical appointments.
Attitude Towards Health – Some outdoor workers adopt a “tough it out” mindset, believing minor health concerns, including sun damage, are just part of the job.
Limited Access to Healthcare – Rural or remote locations can make it harder to access GP services, dermatologists, or routine check-ups.
Lack of Awareness – Many do not realise the risks of prolonged sun exposure or fail to recognise early signs of skin cancer.
Financial Concerns – If seeking medical help means taking time off work, losing income, or covering healthcare costs, workers may avoid it.
Fear of Diagnosis – Some may worry about being told they need time off or facing a serious health issue that impacts their ability to work.
Inconsistent Use of PPE – Workers may not use protective measures consistently, assuming they are not at risk, leading to delayed detection of skin damage.

This makes awareness campaigns, mobile health screenings, and employer-driven health initiatives especially important in reaching and protecting outdoor workers.

Spotlight interviewed outdoor workers around their awareness and knowledge of skin cancer as well as finding a farmer who had lived experience of being diagnosed and treated for skin cancer. Dr Sandy Anderson, Consultant Dermatologist Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust also shared his thought with the BBC around the rates of skin cancer over Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

More information on our campaign can be found:
Protect The Skin You Work In – Peninsula Cancer Alliance

Keep an eye out for our team over the summer as we attend cattle markets and outdoor supply shops to talk to more outdoor workers!