Introduction and Aims: As part of BASF’s 4th
global health campaign, information events
were held, a questionnaire was distributed,
and skin cancer screening was conducted at
the Ludwigshafen site. These events helped
us to further our goals of increasing awareness
of the need for skin protection and the
early detection of skin cancer.
Methods and Planning: All of the Ludwigshafen
employees were given the opportunity
to take part in the skin cancer screening. Dermatologists
carried out examinations of the
entire integument. Epithelial and melanocytic
tumours of the skin and other dermatological
findings were documented in detail in
an electronic clinical report.
Results: 6,169 employees took part in the
skin cancer screening. We followed up with
468 participants with epithelial or melanocytic
tumours of the skin requiring further
examination or treatment. Of the employees
who were contacted, 222 reported back to
us. Some of the tumours – 4 melanomas and
9 basal cell carcinomas – were determined to
be malignant. At the same time, the prevalence
of chronic inflammatory skin diseases
was investigated. While the prevalence of
psoriasis was higher than in a comparative
study, there were noticeably fewer cases of
hand eczema among our participants. This
is an indication that the skin protection programme
BASF has implemented at its site in
Ludwigshafen is effective.
Conclusion: The skin cancer screening made
it possible for 13 employees with malignant
skin tumours to be referred to specialists for
curative treatment. The Healthyskin@work
health campaign made our employees, and
probably also their families, more aware of
the importance of skin protection and the
early detection of skin cancer. Our skin protection
programme has also had a positive
effect on rates of hand eczema among our
employees.
