A free drop-in session to raise awareness about skin cancer will be available at one of the biggest agricultural shows in the region.
The skin cancer team from The James Cook University Hospital will be organising a free pop-up stand on Saturday, September 20 at Stokesley Agricultural Show.
Throughout the day, the awareness stand will offer free skin checks, sample-sized sun cream, skin care products, and pens.
The team will also provide advice and leaflets on how to stay safe in the sun and ways to spot skin cancer early. There will also be donation buckets at the stand in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.
The checks are open to everyone but the skin cancer team is encouraging all farmers and rural workers attending the show to get their free skin checks, as they are at a higher risk of developing skin cancers than the public due to the nature of their work.
Consultant plastic surgeon Oliver Bassett said: “Rates of skin cancer continue to rise steadily across the UK but when caught early it is usually highly treatable. Farmers and outdoor workers often spend long hours in the sun and are at a higher risk than the general population.”
According to Melanoma Focus, 77% of agricultural workers suffer from sunburn, which significantly increases the risk of melanoma, a type of skin cancer that affects 17,500 people every year in the UK.
“We also know they often don’t have the time to engage with healthcare services. That’s why we are running this stall – to raise awareness of the early signs of skin cancer, give practical advice on protecting skin and offer free skin checks for any worrying moles or lesions,” added Dr Bassett.
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