Work-related cancer
According to latest studies (Hämäläinen P., Takala J. study to be published) of the Tampere University of Technology (Finland) made for the International Labour Office, the magnitude of the work-related cancers and deaths caused by them is higher than earlier estimated:
|
Regions |
Number of all cancer deaths |
Attributable fraction related to work |
Number of deaths attributable to work |
Total deaths work-related cancer |
|||
|
Cancer (total) |
Men |
Women |
Men |
Women |
Men |
Women |
Total |
|
EU 15 |
528,953 |
410,829 |
13.8 |
2.2 |
72,996 |
9,038 |
82,034 |
|
EU 25 |
600,508 |
464,757 |
13.7 (1) |
2.2 (1) |
82,194 |
10,144 |
92,338 |
|
EU 27 |
623,709 |
481,307 |
13.6 (1) |
2.1 (1) |
85,106 |
10,177 |
95,581 |
|
World |
3,872,766 |
3,062,008 |
9.6% (2) |
|
|
665,738 |
|
(1) Attributable fractions for the 10+2 new member States used were: Men AFm = 12.55, Women AFw = 2.0. Total AFs for the EU 27 are higher than these counting also the higher EU15 values.
(2)Attributable fractions were adjusted for each WHO region separately based on different expected and estimated exposure levels, detailed exposure data are only available for a limited number of countries and carcinogenic agents.
In average, 9,6% of all cancer deaths are attributable to work. In the EU area 95,581 deaths annually caused by cancer (2002) are work-related. This could be compared to the estimated number of the fatal occupational accidents in the EU 27: 8,900 deaths.
Key factors behind these cancers are: asbestos, environmental tobacco smoke at places of work (passive smoking), and other carcinogenic substances and agents. Prevention should start from elimination, banning, substitution, and any other measures minimizing the quantity and quality of exposures to carcinogenic substances and agents. This needs better occupational safety and health management systems at the enterprise level and functioning systems, strategies and national programs at the country and regional levels.
Estimated annual average number of deaths attributable to occupational exposure to hazardous substances:
|
Causes of death |
No. of deaths |
Estimated percentage attributed to hazardous substances |
No. of deaths attributed to hazardous substances |
||
|
|
Men |
Women |
Men |
Women |
|
|
Cancer (Total) |
|
|
|
|
314,939 |
|
Lung cancer and mesothelioma |
996,000 |
333,000 |
15% |
5% |
166,050 |
|
Liver cancer |
509,000 |
188,000 |
4% |
1% |
22,240 |
|
Bladder cancer |
128,000 |
42,000 |
10% |
5% |
14,900 |
|
Leukaemia |
117,000 |
98,000 |
10% |
5% |
16,600 |
|
Prostate cancer |
253,000 |
|
1% |
|
2,530 |
|
Cancer of mouth |
250,000 |
127,000 |
1% |
0,5% |
3,135 |
|
Cancer of oesophagus |
336,000 |
157,000 |
1% |
0,5% |
3,517 |
|
Stomach cancer |
649,000 |
360,000 |
1% |
0,5% |
8,290 |
|
Colorectal cancer |
308,000 |
282,000 |
1% |
0,5% |
4,490 |
|
Skin cancer |
30,000 |
28,000 |
10% |
2% |
3,560 |
|
Pancreas cancer |
129,000 |
99,000 |
1% |
0,5% |
1,785 |
|
Other and unspecified cancer |
819,000 |
1,350,000 |
6,8% |
1,2% |
71,892 |
Source: J. Takala, XVIIth World Congress on Safety and Health at Work, ILO Introductory Report, Orlando 2005.
More about occupational cancer:
Hazards.org : Work Cancer Prevention Kit
