Occupation and Cancer

Occupational cancer is malignant neoplasm caused by exposures to carcinogenic agents at workplace. It is estimated that one out of every three people will subsequently develop cancer during their lifetime in industrialized countries. Undeveloped countries are also at increasing risk due to transfer of hazardous industries. An occupational cancer does not differ either pathologically or clinically from their counterparts, and treated with the same approaches as similar cancers that are not related to occupational exposures. Whereas, the identification of occupational cancers in public health terms is very important, because all occupational cancers are preventable like other occupational diseases. Physicians generally underestimate the questioning of occupational history of their patients. However, a complete and detailed query of their occupations, and the determination of agents, which they exposed in workplace simply provide us earlier diagnosis, even prevention of occupational cancers. In occupational settings, the most successful measure for the prevention of occupational cancer is the complete removal of known or suspected carcinogenic agents from the workplace. Substitution, changing production process, industrial hygiene practices and education of employees may reduce exposure levels and prevent development of cancer. So that, occupational cancers can be successfully prevented without any harm to industry.