Cancer Awareness and Protection -

Melanoma

Prof Ian Olver AM

Director , Sansom Institute for Health Research

Industries Associated with Exposure to Carcinogens

Industry Carcinogen Cancer

Ships, demolition, insulation Asbestos Lung, pleura

Varnish, glue Benzene Leukemia

Pesticides, smelting Arsenic Lung, skin, liver

Mineral refining + manufacturing Nickel, chromium Lung

Furniture manufacturing Wood dusts Nasal passages

Petroleum products Polycyclic hydrocarbons Lung

Rubber /dye workers Aromatic amines Bladder

Vinyl chloride Vinyl chloride Liver

Radium Radium Bone

Petrol refinery Coal tar , mineral oils Skin

OCCUPATION

Bal DG, et al. American Cancer Society Textbook of Clinical Oncology. 2nd ed. 1995;48.

Burden of cancer and

contribution of risk factors

obesity 4%inadequate fruit & veg 1%

physical inactivity 3%

tobacco20%

alcohol5%

occupation 0.1%

unexplained

67%

sun 3%

Ass Prof Theo Vos, Queensland University

Melanoma• Melanoma is a type of skin cancer

• Usually occurs on the parts of the body that have been overexposed

to the sun

• 4th commonest cancer in Australia + New Zealand which have the

world's highest incidence rate

• The risk of melanoma by age 85 is 1/14 for men and 1/24 for women

Melanoma in Australia 2016 (AIHW)

Number of new cases of melanoma is estimated at 13,238

(7847 males, 5436 females)

Most common cancer in 15-29 yo

Number of deaths form melanoma estimated at 1,774

(1,229 males, 545 females)

Melanoma Symptoms• Often no symptoms, however it can be associated

• Watch for change in skin spot

• asymmetry

• irregular border,

• uneven colour,

• Change in size (usually >6mm) and raised

• Itches or bleeds

If Spread• Lump

• Bleeding

• Symptoms referable to an organ 10 or 20 – pain, cough etc.

– Systemic

• Weight loss

• Fatigue

• Fevers and sweatsCan present as medical emergencies

– Spinal cord compression

• Symptoms in an organ: pain, cough etc.

General Symptoms

• Weight loss

• Fatigue

• Fevers and sweats

Sun Protection

Eye ProtectionSun exposure can leas to cancers on the eye surface of the lids (more non-melanoma)

Welding can cause similar damage

Other long-term eye problems associated with UV radiation include:

• cataracts

• macular degeneration

• pterygium – an overgrowth of the conjunctiva on to the cornea

• cloudiness of the cornea

The protection fro sunglasses is not related to their colour Lens category are usually 0-4 Probably best is 3 (0,1 are fashion not protective)

SA

Who is at risk?• Fair skin with fair or red hair

• Having lost of n moles (10 per limb or 100 on the body)

• Sunburn as children

• Age > 40yrs

• Past melanoma

• Family History

Sun exposureThe pattern of exposure for melanoma is often intermittent bursts

of intense exposure

For non-melanoma it can be a more continuous exposure.

(there are 430,000 non-melanoma skin cancers each year and 450

deaths)

Need some sun exposure to generate Vitamin D

Existing community awareness is leading to successful early detection by

individuals and opportunistically from their doctors

Could an organised screening program do significantly enhance better?

Melanomas may grow too quickly to be detected early at an annual screening

program

Evidence currently suggest routine screening if at high risk because of a large

number of irregular moles or family history

Melanoma Screening

On the Job Sun Protection

Provide shade (Cloth at UPF 15 blocks 93%) of UV

Modify reflective surfaces (roughen or paint darker)

Window tinting

Modify work times

Use the Sunsmart App (see if UV index is 3 or more)

Personal protection

• Sun protective work clothing

• Sun protective hats

• Sunglasses

• Sunscreen (50+)

Tax deductible

Sun Protection at Work – Keep Safe

Have a plan

Make sure employees are trained

Provide protective clothing, shade and sunscreen