COLUMNIST: LAURA FRANCES
With summer upon us, gardeners will be looking forward to what is likely to be their favourite season: watching flowers bloom and colours pop, harvesting fresh fruits and vegetables, and enjoying a welcome break from the cold Scottish weather. Whilst these are joyous moments to be savoured, it is also important to protect your skin and reduce your risk of skin cancer, as one Scotland Grows reader has come to learn the hard way.
Caroline Kerr-Smith, a professional gardener and garden designer, had never considered herself a sun worshipper, but was faced with a health scare when she discovered some red patches on her skin, “I have worked in gardening for thirty years, outside with nature and fresh air, but not really taking much notice of the sunshine. I am a typical light-skinned person and I knew to wear a hat and put on sun screen when the sun was strong, but did not bother otherwise.
“Some years ago, I noticed a painless red area on my arm which did not go away. Years later when a patch on my hand became uncomfortable, I went to an excellent GP who thought it might be a type of skin cancer. I was referred to a dermatologist, saw a consultant, had a biopsy, and got a diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma. The cause, of course, was sun damage.”
Basal cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer that most often develops on areas of skin exposed to the sun, such as the face and arms. Each year, over 250,000 cases of non-melanoma skin cancer are diagnosed in the UK with about 75% of all skin cancers in the UK being basal cell carcinomas.
According to the latest data from Cancer Research UK, the skin cancer incidence rates in Scotland are significantly lower than the UK average and the good news is that this type of cancer is one of the most preventable types, providing you take the appropriate measures to protect yourself.
For Caroline, “The treatment involved freezing the skin with liquid nitrogen. It was very painful and led to infection and antibiotics. Treatment might need to be repeated if the carcinoma grows back. Enjoy the open air, but do take care of your precious skin!”
This should not stop any of us from enjoying our love of gardening, so as you head outdoors this summer to harvest your strawberries or mow your lawn, take into account these tips for reducing your risk of sun damage:
One of the best ways to protect yourself from the sun, for us pale Scottish folk, aside from staying indoors during the hottest hours of the day, is to wear a sunscreen of at least SPF 30. Do not forget the most forgotten about areas such as the neck and upper back.
Making some small changes to your gardening routine can make a big difference when it comes to protecting yourself from sun damage. Aim to do most of your gardening in the mornings and evenings, when the rays of the sun are less intense. If you have a shady garden, make the most of this by staying out of direct sunlight.
If you love gardening, chances are you would like to be doing it for many years to come. The best way to ensure that is to protect yourself as much as possible from sun damage. By taking action such as wearing SPF and timing your outdoor work around the sun, you can be sure to enjoy not only a beautiful garden, but healthy skin too.
Laura Frances is an editorial assistant with Scotland Grows, and a budding, brilliant writer.
You can catch up with Laura's gardening journey at @theebabygardener.