Farmers Can Prevent
Hearing Loss, Skin Cancer
For farmers and ranchers, exposure to loud equipment and long days in the sun are part of the job, but the hearing loss and skin cancer that can result are preventable, Carolyn Sheridan, rural nurse and clinical director for Agri-Safe Network, told attendees of the 92nd Annual Meeting of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF).
The equipment and tools farmers use, often for long stints, are noisy. And the animals, such as pigs, certainly aren't quiet. Producers may think they've simply gotten used to the noise, but they're really not hearing it.
On the other hand, hearing loss doesn't mean everything is just quiet. It can come in the form of tinnitus, which people experience as a ringing, buzzing or clicking in the ears.
"Hearing loss is painless, progressive and permanent — but it's preventable," Sheridan emphasized.
Hearing loss is caused by prolonged exposure to high decibels. Studies have shown that running a chain saw for four minutes is too long. And, farmers don't have the option of abandoning the tractor for the quieter horse and plow.
The solution, according to Sheridan, is to minimize the noise level, also known as the decibel level, using one or more of the 400 types of hearing protection devices available. The devices range from throw-away earplugs to larger ear muffs.
Protect your skin
Like hearing loss, skin cancer is far too common for farmers and ranchers, but it is also avoidable. Although skin cancer does not usually appear until after the age of 50, it is related to lifetime exposure.
The risk factors of basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are many, ranging from scars and burns to infections and family history. Actinic keratosis is one of the biggest risk factors, and one many farmers have, according to Sheridan. These are flat, scaly growths on the ears, face and backs of hands.
Farmers and ranchers should also be on the lookout for sore lumps and bumps that linger. "These things don't heal, they just hang around," Sheridan said.
A third type of skin cancer, melanoma, is much more dangerous than basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. It has a lower cure rate and can spread more easily to other parts of the body.
Red flags for melanoma include a change in the shape, size and color of a mole or the appearance of a new mole that looks black or abnormal. Melanoma growths are often asymmetrical, have ragged borders, an uneven color and change in diameter.
In addition to regular skin self-examinations, even in areas of the body not exposed to the sun, Sheridan recommended clothes that filter UV rays. Sunscreen should be applied liberally at least 20 minutes before going outside and again every two hours. Hats with a brim of at least 3 inches made with fabric that will block UV rays and sunglasses are important, too.
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