Abstract
This study examined Australian farmers’ engagement with skin cancer prevention behaviours and explored what made it hard for them to be ‘SunSmart’ (barriers), and what could be done to make prevention easier (facilitators). In total, 498 farmers (83.1% male, 22–89 years, 50.8% grain, sheep, or cattle farmers) participated. The least frequently performed SunSmart behaviours (reported as never practiced during summer) were using SPF 30+ sunscreen (16.6%), wearing protective sunglasses (10.5%), and wearing protective clothing (8.6%). Greater engagement (i.e., higher scores on scale from Never to Always) with SunSmart behaviours was explained by gender (female), educational attainment (trade or technical college certificate vs. high school), personal skin cancer history, and skin sun sensitivity. Barriers reported by farmers related to personal preferences (e.g., short-sleeved rather than long-sleeved clothing), comfort, and perceived impracticality of sun protection. Farmers’ solutions included making protective clothing and sunscreen more appropriate for farm work (e.g., by making clothing more breathable). A personal health scare was the most reported motivation for skin cancer prevention. Findings highlight the need for increased access to sun-protective clothing and sunscreen that is suitable for wearing when working on farms, complemented by culturally appropriate health education messaging, to encourage more farmers to perform SunSmart behaviours.
Highlights
Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Department of Rural Health, Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Olivia Newton John Cancer Wellness Research Centre, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
Consistent with previous research [22–24], our findings suggest that Australian farmers are not adequately engaging with skin cancer prevention behaviours
Farmers are adept problem-solvers; those who participated in the present study suggested the following to facilitate engagement with skin cancer prevention behaviours:
Summary
Findings highlight the need for increased access to sun-protective clothing and sunscreen that is suitable for wearing when working on farms, complemented by culturally appropriate health education messaging, to encourage more farmers to perform. This disparity is even greater; those who are 65 years or older die of all types of skin cancer at more than double the rate of other Australians [16] The reasons for this may be structural (e.g., availability of suitable skin checking services, or delays in accessing services and diagnosis due to waiting times), knowledge-related (e.g., inadequate health literacy on the risks of skin cancer for outdoor workers), or attitudinal (e.g., stoicism and other socio-cultural factors)
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