Sembrando Cáncer de Piel: El Precio de no Conocer sobre Plaguicidas. La Realidad del Agro Milagro, 2022

This scientific article, entitled “Sowing skin cancer: the price of not knowing about pesticides. The reality of agriculture Milagro, 2022," highlights the indiscriminate use of pesticides in agricultural activities, which represents a serious threat to public health, especially in rural communities where a lack of knowledge about their use is common. The study aims to analyze the association between limited information on pesticide use and the development of skin cancer in the rural population of Milagro Canton, Ecuador, during 2022. A quantitative, correlational, and non-experimental research study was conducted. The sample consisted of 372 people from the Roberto Astudillo parish, selected using inclusion criteria based on geographic proximity to agricultural areas and direct exposure to pesticides. Data were collected through structured surveys administered in Google Forms and analyzed with statistical tools in Microsoft Excel. The results showed that 73% of respondents work or live in agricultural areas, 67% are regularly exposed to pesticides, and a worrying 68% have never received training on their safe use. Furthermore, 91% reported knowing of cases of skin cancer in their community, while 79% consider the available preventive information to be deficient. The conclusions indicate a significant relationship between the lack of information on pesticide use and the incidence of skin cancer. This underscores the urgent need to implement educational programs, strengthen occupational health policies, and provide adequate personal protection tools. Raising awareness of this issue is essential to protect the rights and health of agricultural communities.