Occupational skin cancer screening: Results of a cross-sectional study at the city drainage company Munich

Background

Since skin cancer incidence and prevalence are rising steadily, the prevention of skin cancer has gained importance. People with high sun exposure at work are at special risk, and prevention measures by the employer may lower the risk, especially for keratinocyte carcinoma.

Objectives

The aim of the study was to evaluate the results of a large-scale skin cancer screening campaign at the city drainage company Munich where the cohort consisted mainly of outdoor workers.

Methods

In 2023, a skin cancer screening campaign was conducted at the city drainage company Munich. Sun exposure and protection measures of each participant were assessed using a questionnaire. Dermatologists identified clinical signs for sun damage and skin cancer by whole-body skin examination.

Results

A total of 290 participants (72.8% male; mean age 43.7 ± 11.5 years) were enroled. 36.6% showed clinical signs of sun damage correlating with male gender, higher age, and more hours spent outdoors per day. Clinical examination revealed a suspect finding of skin cancer, a preliminary stage, or a lesion requiring clinical control to avoid skin cancer development in 19.3% of participants. Participants with atypical melanocytic lesions were mostly female and showed a high skin cancer awareness. This was concluded from the fewer signs of sun damage, a higher percentage of previous screening participation, and more regular self-examination.

Conclusions

Whole-body examination for skin cancer screening at work is a valuable tool to encourage participation in this preventive measure. It may help identify people at risk either by clinical signs for sun damage or risk exposure which can be assessed with a simple questionnaire. Based on this result, the screening interval may be adopted individually.