Agronomists urged to get regular skin checks after alarming number of detections

A series of free skin checks at an agronomists’ conference has uncovered several potentially life-threatening melanomas, plus other skin cancers and extensive sun damage, sparking fresh calls for outdoor workers to monitor their skin health.

The checks, offered to Nutrien Ag Solutions’ employees at its inaugural National Agronomy Conference, were carried out by the Melanoma and Skin Cancer Advocacy Network (MSCAN) and supported by Corteva Agriscience.

Corteva’s Kirsty Ebert (left) and dermatologist Dr Ali Lewin, who performed MSCAN skin checks at the conference.

Of the 60 delegates screened by a dermatologist, more than a third were referred to their GP for further tests, and around 70 per cent showed visible sun damage.

For MSCAN founder, Tamara Dawson, it was a concerning result, but she said early detection was critical to ensuring a positive long-term outcome.

“Four years ago, at the first skin check event that Corteva sponsored, we detected a melanoma on a young woman who was only having a check because her partner had booked in, and she went on to have the cancer surgically removed,” Ms Dawson said.

Since then, MSCAN has conducted more than 450 full body skin checks, all performed by highly qualified dermatologists. Participants receive information about skin awareness and recognising changes to moles and spots, or what the organisation calls the ‘ugly duckling’ – anything that doesn’t look right.

Ms Dawson, who founded MSCAN after her own diagnosis of melanoma in her 30s, said the lethal cancer was the most common skin cancer in young Australians.

Regional reach saving lives

Kirsty Ebert from Corteva Agriscience said sponsorship of the free skin checks was part of the company’s commitment to community safety and wellbeing, but also aimed to provide a service to people in regional areas who may not have easy access to medical care.

“If it becomes too hard to access the service, the skin checks don’t get done, and that’s why our partnership with MSCAN and Nutrien Ag Solutions is really gaining traction,” Ms Ebert said.

“The gratitude and feedback of people who get the opportunity of a free check is very rewarding, even though there are mixed emotions when a potential skin cancer is found.

MSCAN helper Jessie (left) with dermatologist Dr Melissa Carroll, who performed free skin checks at the conference.

“While you can’t reverse skin damaged from early exposure, the earlier you become ‘skin aware’, the less likely it is that the damage will result in cancer.”

David Wood from Nutrien Ag Solutions said partnering with Corteva to fund the MSCAN service at various team conferences was one of the best-value initiatives the company offered.

“We distribute a flyer prior to the conference to say that Corteva is sponsoring the free skin check, then email a link for staff to make an appointment. It fully subscribes every time,” Mr Wood said.

“From a health and safety aspect, Nutrien agronomists and field workers are encouraged to wear hats and sunscreen and to keep covered as much as possible. I don’t think anyone is unaware of the dangers of sun damage, but the free checks are a great way to encourage people to monitor their skin.”

Know your skin

Ms Dawson commended Nutrien Ag Solutions and Corteva on helping to raise awareness of skin health, particularly given Australia’s unenviable record as a world leader in rates of skin cancer.

“Two in three Australians will be diagnosed with a skin cancer by age 70. It’s also a cancer that disproportionately affects people living in regional Australia,” she said.

“We know the risk is higher for outdoor workers, but that can be somewhat alleviated by wearing long sleeves, having a proper collar on your shirt, wearing pants (not shorts) and a wide-brimmed or bucket hat. So many skin cancers are found on the ears and the side of the face.

“Our message is ‘Know Your Skin’. Self-examine every season. Ask the hairdresser to look through your hair, get a friend or your partner to check your back and the back of your thighs.

“The bottom line is, we want Australians to get skin serious.”

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Agronomists urged to get regular skin checks after alarming number of detections

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