Exposure to Sun Farmers and others who spend large amounts of time exposed to the sun are at increased risk for developing skin cancer. Skin cancer is a serious disease, affecting nearly 950,000 Americans in 1996. Skin cancer is also mostly preventable. Years ago, farmers wore wide-brimmed hats to protect themselves from the sun s rays. Since then, the baseball-style cap has become a trademark of farmers, but it does not offer the same amount of protection for noses, ears, temples, and necks.
Skin cancer can kill.
Wear long-sleeved, tightly woven cotton shirts and long pants when working outdoors in the sun. Wear a hat not a cap that will offer full shade protection for the face, head, and neck, including ear tips, temples, and back of the neck. Whenever possible, avoid exposure during midday hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when UV rays are the strongest. They gave the highest ranking to a baseball-style cap with a removable back flap secured with Velcro. The second most popular hat style was a flexible, lightweight mesh hat with front and rear bill.