Skin Cancer Prevalence in Outdoor Workers of Ski Resorts

Abstract

Background. Snow reflectivity and altitude increase the exposure of ski resort workers to solar ultraviolet radiation. The aim was to assess the presence of skin cancer in ski resorts workers and compare it with other groups of outdoor workers reviewing published studies. Methods. An observational cross-sectional prospective study was conducted in the three largest ski resorts in Spain: Baqueira Beret, Lleida; Formigal, Huesca and Sierra Nevada, Granada. All outdoor workers including ski instructors were invited to participate in the study. The participants completed a validated questionnaire about sun exposure and underwent a skin examination. Results. 219 workers were included in the study (80% male; mean age 43.8 (SD 11.31) years). Actinic keratosis (AK) but no other skin cancers were detected in 32 participants (14.62%). Those with AK worked in the Southernmost ski resort, were more likely to have light colour hair, and were older and with higher photoaging grade than those without them. Conclusion. Compared to other studies, outdoor workers on ski resorts show a higher prevalence of AK than general population but a lower prevalence than other groups of outdoor workers.

Exposome and basal cell carcinoma: a multicenter case–control study

“…Although most of our population lived in an urban environment, the BCC group worked more outdoors, and for longer, than controls. Interest in occupational UVR exposure increased over recent years, and several studies have reported a higher risk of NMSC in outdoor workers, including mountain guides, farm laborers, and ski resort workers 8,17,18 . These findings underscore the importance of promoting and supporting photoprotective behaviors and the proper use of sunscreen among outdoor workers.…”

“…Data regarding age, sex, marital status, income, height, weight, place of residence (rural/urban), profession, phenotype and phototype, and chronic medication were collected. Sun exposure and photoprotection habits were evaluated using a validated questionnaire previously used by our group 7,8 ; dietary habits were evaluated using the validated PREDIMED questionnaire 9 ; exposure to pollution, toxic substances and ionizing radiation was reported by participants; perceived stress was evaluated using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) 10,11 ; and the number of hours of sports (outdoors and indoors) and number of hours of sleep were measured (Figure S1).…”

The Influence of the Exposome in the Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma, a Multicenter Case–Control Study

“…The variables collected were as follows: age, sex, marital status, income, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), place of residence (rural/urban), profession, phenotype and phototype, and chronic medication; sun exposure and photoprotection habits were evaluated using a validated questionnaire previously used by our group [7,8]; diet was evaluated using the validated PREDIMED questionnaire [9]; exposure to pollution, toxic substances, and ionizing radiation was reported by participants; stress was evaluated using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) [10,11]; number of hours of sport practice (outdoors and indoors) and number of hours of sleep was also recorded (Supplementary Material S1).…”

New trends on personalized sunscreens

“…In the last years, there has been an increasing interest in the occupational UVR exposure and there are many articles that evidence a higher risk of keratinocyte carcinomas in outdoor workers, such as mountain guides, farm workers, or workers of ski resorts. [64][65][66] This circumstance makes it necessary to adapt the photoprotection behavior and the sunscreen used to different outdoor workers' situations.…”