Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer in Outdoor Workers: A Study on Actinic Keratosis in Italian Navy Personnel

Luigi Vimercati, Luigi De Maria, Antonio Caputi, Enza Sabrina Silvana Cannone, Francesca Mansi, Domenica Cavone, Paolo Romita, Giuseppe Argenziano, Alessandro Di Stefani, Aurora Parodi, Ketty Peris, Massimiliano Scalvenzi, Giampiero Girolomoni and Caterina Foti
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Luigi Vimercati: Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Unit of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
Luigi De Maria: Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Unit of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
Antonio Caputi: Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Unit of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
Enza Sabrina Silvana Cannone: Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Unit of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
Francesca Mansi: Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Unit of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
Domenica Cavone: Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Unit of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
Paolo Romita: Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, Dermatological Clinic, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
Giuseppe Argenziano: Dermatology Unit, Department of Mentals and Physical Health and Preventive medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy
Alessandro Di Stefani: Institute of Dermatology, Università Cattolica, 00168 Rome, Italy
Aurora Parodi: Section of Dermatology, Di.S.Sal. Department of Health Science, University of Genoa, San Martino Polyclinic Hospital, 16132 Genoa, Italy
Ketty Peris: Institute of Dermatology, Università Cattolica, 00168 Rome, Italy
Massimiliano Scalvenzi: Dermatology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy
Giampiero Girolomoni: Department of Medicine, Section of Dermatology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
Caterina Foti: Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, Dermatological Clinic, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 7, 1-11

Abstract: Occupational exposure to ultraviolet radiation is one of the main risk factors for non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) development. The most common variants of NMSC are basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and actinic keratosis (AK). The latter is nowadays considered by most authors as an early squamous cell carcinoma rather than a precancerous lesion. Outdoor workers have a higher risk of developing NMSC because they spend most of the working day outside. The aim of this descriptive study was to assess the prevalence of skin lesions, especially AK, in a professional category of individuals exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation: the Italian Navy. From January to June 2016, a questionnaire and a total skin examination of 921 military personnel were administered by medical specialists (dermatologists) in seven different Italian Navy centres. AK was detected in 217 of 921 (23.5%) workers. Older age, outdoor occupation, longer working life, and fair skin seem to promote the development of AK. Of the 217 workers with AK, 187 (86.2%) had lesions in chronically sun-exposed skin areas. Italian Navy personnel have a high AK prevalence. Further studies are needed to investigate occupational hazards and their health effects among outdoor workers to promote protective behaviour and raise awareness of skin cancer.

Keywords: ultraviolet exposure; non-melanoma skin cancer; actinic keratosis; Italian Navy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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