In honor of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, protect outdoor workers from the detrimental effects of sun exposure and empower survivors to make a smooth transition back to work with Return to Work: Cancer Care Compass. 

Sunlight: A Group 1 carcinogen that many fail to appreciate as such. 

Each year, up to one in five cancers diagnosed worldwide are the result of exposure to environmental and occupational carcinogens, including ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Across the globe, over 1.6 billion people—a quarter of the global workforce—are regularly exposed to UV radiation at work—doubling their risk of skin cancer. As a result, workplace sun exposure is an urgent concern for employers, who have a responsibility to protect their workers from all occupational hazards—regardless of their source.  

Although sunlight is often perceived as a harmless necessity, the dangers it poses cannot be ignored. It is imperative that employers do their part in protecting workers—and empowering them to protect themselves—from the sun’s harmful rays. By doing so, employers have the potential to prevent up to 90 percent of all skin cancer cases—presenting a momentous opportunity for employers to take meaningful action in the face of rising cancer rates and growing demands for better workplace health support. 

Shielding Workers from Harm: Shining a Light on Sun Safety at Work 

As with many other cancers, one of the most significant factors driving the risk of skin cancer is ignorance. This includes a lack of awareness about the importance of self-protection measures (e.g., applying sunscreen, seeking shade, monitoring the UV index, and wearing appropriate clothing), poor understanding about the cumulative and often insidious effects of sun exposure, failure to recognize the early signs of skin cancer, and, most concerningly, a widespread disregard for the vital role of early detection in preventing and treating the disease.  

Regularly applying a broad-spectrum, effective sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more is one of the simplest and most important steps individuals can take to reduce their risk of skin cancer. Yet studies have found that up to three-quarters of outdoor workers do not and have never used sunscreen at work. Even more alarmingly, those same studies indicate that outdoor workers are more likely than the general population to subscribe to common myths about sun exposure, including the belief that tanning prevents sunburn or that it is safe. As a result, outdoor workers are twice as likely to get sunburned compared to the general population and twice as likely to get sunburned severely enough to cause blisters—significantly increasing their risk of skin cancer. 

Given the workplace’s role as a key environment where employees learn how to lead healthy, balanced lives, employers have a responsibility to combat the stigma and ignorance demonstrated within their workforce. This can be achieved through educational initiatives designed to raise awareness about the importance of sun protection, early detection, and the steps individuals can take to reduce their risk of cancer. On-site health and wellness events, in particular, serve as an effective and engaging way for employers to deliver these messages and spark meaningful conversations about skin cancer at work. 

By organizing an event around skin health and inviting community experts to attend, employers can create an approachable, informative experience that encourages proactive skin care and reduces barriers to action. A successful event might include: 

• Inviting dermatologists and skincare specialists to give talks, host workshops, or lead interactive demonstrations on effective sunscreen use, protective clothing, and identifying early signs of cancer 

• Setting up ‘skin check stations’ where employees can receive basic skin screenings and learn how to conduct self-examinations 

• Having insurance representatives on hand to answer questions about dermatology coverage and help employees navigate care options 

• Providing printed materials and take-home resources with practical tips on sun safety, self-exams, and when to seek professional help 

• Distributing wellness kits or ‘swag bags’ containing sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and other sun-safe items 

Providing access to wellness coaching is another valuable way in which employers can empower employees to take better care of their skin and promote overall lifestyle improvement. By equipping employees with personalized insights and actionable strategies for effectively incorporating sun protection into their daily routines, employers can ensure that these crucial habits are not neglected or overshadowed by competing personal and professional demands. 

Ultimately, by empowering employees to consistently and correctly engage in sun safety practices, employers can reduce their risk of skin cancer by up to 50 percent. Encouraging routine skin checks and prompt medical care can also dramatically reduce the risk of severe disease, as early-stage skin cancer boasts a near-100 percent 5-year survival rate when detected early. 

Helping Survivors Move Forward: Illuminating the Path to a Successful Return to Work with Cancer Care Compass 

But, of course, even the most rigorous preventive strategies cannot entirely eradicate the risk of skin cancer—or its presence in the workplace. As it stands, at least one in five individuals will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime, while in countries like the United States and Australia, skin cancer remains the leading cause of cancer—with more cases diagnosed each year than all other cancers combined.  

That’s why, when it comes to creating a workplace truly free from the harmful effects of sun exposure, facilitating skin cancer survivors’ successful return to work is just as important as any preventive efforts. 

Thanks to the high survivability rate of most skin cancers and the relative simplicity of many treatment plans, research shows that most patients are able to continue working during treatment—often requiring only minimal time off, or demonstrating above-average return-to-work rates if they do go on leave. Still, at least a quarter of skin cancer patients take some form of sick leave to focus on their treatment or recovery. 

Thus, to ensure survivors can return to work with confidence and ease, employers need look no further than WPO’s Cancer Care Compass—the first global, inclusive program offering comprehensive support for survivors and the managers guiding their transition back to work. 

Comprising emotional counseling, vocational reintegration coaching, and manager consultations, the program is designed to address the emotional and practical challenges of returning to work—promoting survivors’ seamless reintegration while fostering their full recovery. At its heart, the Coordinators of Occupational Reintegration and Adaptation (CORAT) deliver ongoing, personalized support to employees and their managers to oversee the development of collaborative and effective transition plans and help employees set and achieve realistic recovery goals. 

All told, key features of the Cancer Care Compass program include:  

• Personalized recovery plans for restoring physical, psychological, and professional wellbeing 

• Fortified emotional and professional resilience 

• Dedicated support for managers, including a specialized toolkit and unlimited consultations 

• Strengthened organizational commitment to employee wellbeing 

At WPO, we understand the profound toll that even highly treatable cancers like skin cancer can take on a person’s vitality and wellbeing. A loss of self-esteem or self-efficacy, as well as lingering anxiety, fear, or uncertainty—especially about the comparatively higher risk of recurrence—are just some of the challenges that can permeate life after skin cancer. 

But with the right support and a steadfast commitment from employers to help survivors reclaim their lives, these battles, too, may be overcome. Over 90 percent of survivors say the support they receive at work is integral to their health and recovery. By investing in their seamless reintegration alongside preventive efforts, employers can strive to create a workplace environment where every employee feels safe, supported, and able to shine. 

Ready to create a sun-safe and cancer-free workplace in 2025? Contact us today to learn more about how Workplace Options can help, and how Cancer Care Compass puts survivors on the path to healing and balance, so they can thrive.