Growing Safely - Sun Safety

PREVENTION

To prevent sun damage:

• Use a broad spectrum sunscreen (even on a cloudy day)
  • Use a waterproof sunscreen so it isn’t easily with removed sweating
  • apply 1 ounce, every two hours
• Cover up
  • wear pants, long-sleeved shirts
  • wear lightly woven, bright-colored clothing
  • wear a hat (preferably wide-brimmed)
  • the highest risk for skin cancer is on your face and scalp
• Seek the shade
• Don’t allow yourself to burn
• Keep newborns out of the sun
• Avoid tanning booths
• Examine your skin
• Visit your physician annually
  • early detection can help save your life

*Information from the skincancer.org, Penn State University Agricultural Safety and Health News

SELF EXAMINATION IS KEY

It's important to examine your skin (your entire body) monthly because often skin cancers detected early can be treated. The most important warning sign is a spot on the skin that is changing in size, shape, or color during a period of one month to one or two years.

Skin cancers often take the following forms:

• Pale, wax-like, pearly nodules
• Red, scaly, sharply outlined patches
• Sores that don't heal
• Small, mole-like growths – melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer

If you find these unusual skin changes, see a health care professional immediately.

For more tips to help you protect your skin from the sun, visit https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/sawmills/uvradiation.html.

More information on skin cancer is available at www.skincancer.org.

You can also check out the Growing Safely Sun Safety video on the Monsanto Off-the-Job Safety YouTube Channel or watch the embedded video below.

The Growing Safely video series is sponsored by Monsanto Company. Monsanto is committed to the safety of its customers, employees, and those in the communities where we live and work.