Ann Del Bianco1, Paul A Demers2. 1. Occupational Cancer Research Centre, Toronto, Ont. ; Faculty of Environmental Studies, York University, Toronto, Ont. 2. Occupational Cancer Research Centre, Toronto, Ont. ; Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Occupational cancer is the leading cause of work-related deaths, yet it is often unrecognized and under reported, and associated claims for compensation go unfiled. We sought to examine trends in deaths from occupational cancer, high-risk industries and exposures, and commonly compensated categories of occupational cancers. In addition, we compared deaths from occupational lung cancer for which compensation had been given with total deaths from lung cancer. METHODS: We used data from the Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada pertaining to the nature and source of the injury or disease and the industry in which it occurred (by jurisdiction) to describe trends in compensated claims for deaths from occupational cancer in Canada for the period 1997-2010. We used data published by the Canadian Cancer Society in Canadian Cancer Statistics to compare compensated occupational lung cancer deaths with total estimated lung cancer deaths for the period between 2006 and 2010. RESULTS: Compensated claims for deaths from occupational cancer have increased in recent years and surpassed those for traumatic injuries and disorders in Canada, particularly in Ontario. Between 1997 and 2010, one-half of all compensated deaths from occupational cancer in Canada were from Ontario. High-risk industries for occupational cancer include manufacturing, construction, mining and, more recently, government services. Deaths from lung cancer and mesothelioma comprise most of the compensated claims for deaths from occupational cancer in Ontario and Canada. These diseases are usually the result of asbestos exposure. The burden of other occupational carcinogens is not reflected in claims data. INTERPRETATION: Although the number of accepted claims for deaths from occupational cancers has increased in recent years, these claims likely only represent a fraction of the true burden of this problem. Increased education of patients, workers at high risk of exposure and health care providers is needed to ensure that people with work-related cancer are identified and file a claim for compensation.
BACKGROUND:Occupational cancer is the leading cause of work-related deaths, yet it is often unrecognized and under reported, and associated claims for compensation go unfiled. We sought to examine trends in deaths from occupational cancer, high-risk industries and exposures, and commonly compensated categories of occupational cancers. In addition, we compared deaths from occupational lung cancer for which compensation had been given with total deaths from lung cancer. METHODS: We used data from the Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada pertaining to the nature and source of the injury or disease and the industry in which it occurred (by jurisdiction) to describe trends in compensated claims for deaths from occupational cancer in Canada for the period 1997-2010. We used data published by the Canadian Cancer Society in Canadian Cancer Statistics to compare compensated occupational lung cancer deaths with total estimated lung cancer deaths for the period between 2006 and 2010. RESULTS: Compensated claims for deaths from occupational cancer have increased in recent years and surpassed those for traumatic injuries and disorders in Canada, particularly in Ontario. Between 1997 and 2010, one-half of all compensated deaths from occupational cancer in Canada were from Ontario. High-risk industries for occupational cancer include manufacturing, construction, mining and, more recently, government services. Deaths from lung cancer and mesothelioma comprise most of the compensated claims for deaths from occupational cancer in Ontario and Canada. These diseases are usually the result of asbestos exposure. The burden of other occupational carcinogens is not reflected in claims data. INTERPRETATION: Although the number of accepted claims for deaths from occupational cancers has increased in recent years, these claims likely only represent a fraction of the true burden of this problem. Increased education of patients, workers at high risk of exposure and health care providers is needed to ensure that people with work-related cancer are identified and file a claim for compensation.
Authors: Cam Mustard; Donald Cole; Harry Shannon; Jason Pole; Terry Sullivan; Richard Allingham Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2003-08 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: F Curtis Breslin; Emile Tompa; Cameron Mustard; Ryan Zhao; Peter Smith; Sheilah Hogg-Johnson Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2007-01-31 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Timothy Driscoll; Deborah Imel Nelson; Kyle Steenland; James Leigh; Marisol Concha-Barrientos; Marilyn Fingerhut; Annette Prüss-Ustün Journal: Am J Ind Med Date: 2005-12 Impact factor: 2.214
Authors: Emile Tompa; Christina Kalcevich; Chris McLeod; Martin Lebeau; Chaojie Song; Kim McLeod; Joanne Kim; Paul A Demers Journal: Occup Environ Med Date: 2017-07-29 Impact factor: 4.402
Authors: Anna Suraya; Dennis Nowak; Astrid Widajati Sulistomo; Aziza Ghanie Icksan; Ursula Berger; Elisna Syahruddin; Stephan Bose-O'Reilly Journal: Ann Glob Health Date: 2021-01-06 Impact factor: 2.462