A recent study led by scientists from Penn State University has discovered an interesting link between farming practices and higher rates of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, in Pennsylvania.
The researchers found that people living in or near agricultural areas had significantly higher rates of melanoma compared to those in other regions.
This surprising connection highlights how farming, and not just the usual sun exposure, may increase melanoma risk.
The study, published in the journal JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics, analyzed five years of cancer data from 2017 to 2021. The researchers focused on adults over the age of 50 living in a 15-county stretch of South Central Pennsylvania. They discovered that people in these counties were 57% more likely to develop melanoma than residents from other parts of the state.
Melanoma is commonly linked with sunbathing and beaches, as UV radiation from the sun is a well-known cause. However, the researchers wanted to investigate whether other factors, like agricultural environments, could play a role.
According to Charlene Lam, an associate professor of dermatology at Penn State Health and co-author of the study, the findings suggest that agriculture could be a contributing factor. She noted that this risk isn’t just limited to farmers working directly with crops; even people who live near farmland could be at risk.
The study looked at multiple factors, including sunlight exposure and socioeconomic conditions, to understand the reasons behind the increased melanoma rates.
The researchers found that counties with more cultivated cropland and higher herbicide use had significantly higher rates of melanoma. This suggests that chemicals used in farming, like pesticides and herbicides, could be contributing to the rise in skin cancer cases.
Eugene Lengerich, an emeritus professor of public health sciences at Penn State and senior author of the study, explained that herbicides and pesticides are designed to alter biological systems.
Some of these chemicals could theoretically increase photosensitivity, making skin more vulnerable to the sun’s harmful rays. This could accelerate the development of melanoma.
The research showed that for every 10% increase in the amount of cultivated cropland, melanoma rates rose by 14%. Similarly, a 9% increase in herbicide-treated acreage was linked to a 13% rise in melanoma cases.
Lam emphasized that this exposure isn’t just a risk for farmers applying these chemicals. Herbicides can drift through the air, settle in household dust, and even seep into water supplies, potentially affecting entire communities.
While the study identifies these patterns, it doesn’t prove that herbicides and pesticides directly cause melanoma. The researchers themselves caution that the data shows a connection, not a cause-and-effect relationship.
Benjamin Marks, the study’s first author, pointed out that other factors, such as genetics, lifestyle, and access to healthcare, could also play a role in these higher melanoma rates. He explained that while these findings are significant, they are still just a signal that needs further investigation.
The study’s results are important not just for farmers, but for everyone living near agricultural areas. It suggests that the chemicals used in farming may pose a health risk to entire communities, not just those working in the fields.
Lam hopes to continue studying this relationship, especially in rural areas within the study region, to better understand how agricultural practices might be contributing to higher cancer risks.
This research also aligns with findings in other agricultural regions, like Utah, Poland, and Italy, where similar patterns have been observed. Lam encourages people in agricultural areas to regularly check their skin for any signs of skin cancer, wear protective clothing and sunscreen, and stay informed about the potential risks in their environment.
The study has broader implications for public health. It emphasizes the need for a “One Health” approach, which acknowledges the deep connection between human health and the environment, including agricultural practices.
Lengerich, one of the senior authors, emphasized that finding solutions to these risks requires cooperation between doctors, farmers, environmental scientists, and policymakers to protect both human health and the environment.
If you care about skin health, please read studies about eating fish linked to higher risk of skin cancer, and Vitamin B3 could help prevent skin cancers.
For more health information, please see recent studies about vegetable oil linked to spread of cancer, and results showing Vitamin D could help treat skin inflammation.
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