Skin Cancer Prevalence in Outdoor Workers of Ski Resorts.

Yolanda Gilaberte,Salvador Arias-Santiago,Ana Julia García-Malinis,Tamara Gracia-Cazaña,Josep Manel Casanova,Maria Reyes García De La Fuente,Javier Ramirez-Palomino,Isabel Ruiz-Campos,Agustín Buendia-Eisman,Marta Pamiés-Gracia

doi:10.1155/2020/8128717

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.

Highlights

Snow reflectivity and altitude increase the exposure of ski resort workers to solar ultraviolet radiation. e 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
Actinic keratosis (AK) but no other skin cancers were detected in 32 participants (14.62%). ose 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
A er completing the questionnaire, all participants were interviewed by any of the 6 dermatologists of the study who collected data on their family and personal history of skin cancer and performed a full-body dermoscopy examination, recording the following information: eye and hair colour, phototype, photoaging grade according to the Glogau scale, number of actinic keratosis (AK) lesions and corresponding Olsen grade; number and location of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or melanoma lesion and of melanocytic nevi and atypical nevi; presence of solar erythema; presence of freckles on the face or upper back

Summary

Introduction

Snow reflectivity and altitude increase the exposure of ski resort workers to solar ultraviolet radiation. e 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. A er completing the questionnaire, all participants were interviewed by any of the 6 dermatologists of the study who collected data on their family and personal history of skin cancer and performed a full-body dermoscopy examination, recording the following information: eye and hair colour, phototype, photoaging grade according to the Glogau scale (type 1, no wrinkles; type 2, wrinkles in motion; type 3, wrinkles at rest; type 4, only wrinkles [10]), number of actinic keratosis (AK) lesions and corresponding Olsen grade; number and location of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or melanoma lesion and of melanocytic nevi and atypical nevi; presence of solar erythema (sunburn); presence of freckles on the face or upper back (absent, few, some, many).

Results

Conclusion