Occupational cancer burden in developing countries and the problem of informal workers

Santana, Vilma Sousa; Ribeiro, Fátima Sueli Neto

doi:10.1186/1476-069x-10-s1-s10

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…In addition, it will also be important to extend such investigations to developing countries, where the occupational cancer burden may be substantial given increasing industrialization and limited occupational health regulations. 40 All such projects should carefully consider the many challenges involved in PAF estimation, which we and others have discussed. 12;21;22 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The proportion of cancer attributable to occupational exposures

Purdue

Hutchings

Rushton

et al. 2015

Annals of Epidemiology

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Purpose To review the literature on the estimation of the population attributable fraction (PAF) of cancer due to occupational exposures and to describe challenges in the estimation of this metric. To help illustrate the inherent challenges, we also estimate PAFs for selected cancers diagnosed in the United States in 2010 attributable to work as a painter (causally associated with bladder and lung cancer) and shiftwork (possibly associated with breast cancer). Methods We reviewed and summarized previous reports providing quantitative estimates of PAF for total cancer due to occupational exposures. We calculated PAF estimates for painters and shiftwork using methodology from a detailed investigation of the occupational cancer burden in Great Britain, with adaptations made for the U.S. population. Results The estimated occupation-attributable fraction for total cancer generally ranged between 2% and 8% (men, 3-14%; women, 1-2%) based on previous reports. We calculated that employment as a painter accounted for a very small proportion of cancers of the bladder and lung diagnosed in the United States in 2010, with PAFs of 0.5% for each site. In contrast, our calculations suggest that the potential impact of shiftwork on breast cancer (if causal) could be substantial, with a PAF of 5.7%, translating to 11,777 attributable breast cancers. Conclusions Continued efforts to estimate the occupational cancer burden will be important as scientific evidence and economic trends evolve. Such projects should consider the challenges involved in PAF estimation, which we summarize in this report.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The proportion of cancer attributable to occupational exposures

Purdue

Hutchings

Rushton

et al. 2015

Annals of Epidemiology

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“…The number of workers included in this criterion was estimated based on data drawn from official statistics. Since many individuals in occupations with a high potential for carcinogenic-agent exposure work in the informal market, underreporting is likely to occur [ 58 ]. This fact may have affected, in particular, the data on workers’ exposure to asbestos.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Fraction of Cancer Attributable to Ways of Life, Infections, Occupation, and Environmental Agents in Brazil in 2020

et al. 2016

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Many human cancers develop as a result of exposure to risk factors related to the environment and ways of life. The aim of this study was to estimate attributable fractions of 25 types of cancers resulting from exposure to modifiable risk factors in Brazil. The prevalence of exposure to selected risk factors among adults was obtained from population-based surveys conducted from 2000 to 2008. Risk estimates were based on data drawn from meta-analyses or large, high quality studies. Population-attributable fractions (PAF) for a combination of risk factors, as well as the number of preventable deaths and cancer cases, were calculated for 2020. The known preventable risk factors studied will account for 34% of cancer cases among men and 35% among women in 2020, and for 46% and 39% deaths, respectively. The highest attributable fractions were estimated for tobacco smoking, infections, low consumption of fruits and vegetables, excess weight, reproductive factors, and physical inactivity. This is the first study to systematically estimate the fraction of cancer attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors in Brazil. Strategies for primary prevention of tobacco smoking and control of infection and the promotion of a healthy diet and physical activity should be the main priorities in policies for cancer prevention in the country.

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“…This hypothesis is supported by the low agreement between histopathology, medical records, and death certificates found in Brazil [87] and Mexico [45]. In many LA countries, work-relatedness of diseases such as cancer is not commonly identified and registered in clinical settings, which reduces the number of notified cases, making prevention even more difficult [89].…”

Section: Epidemiological Studies On Mesothelioma In Latin Americamentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevention of Asbestos Exposure in Latin America within a Global Public Health Perspective

Algranti

Ramos-Bonilla

Terracini

et al. 2019

Annals of Global Health

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Background: Asbestos consumption in Latin America (LA) amounts to 10% of yearly global production. Little is known about the impact of asbestos exposure in the region. Objective: To discuss scientific and socio-economic issues and conflicts of interest and to summarize epidemiological data of asbestos health effects in LA. Discussion: Recent data on chrysotile strengthened the evidence of its carcinogenicity and showed an excessive risk of lung cancer at cumulative exposure levels as low as 1.5 fibre-years/ml. Technology for substitution is available for all asbestos-containing products and ceasing asbestos production and manufacturing will not result in unemployment and loss of income, except for the mining industry. The flawed arguments used by the industry to maintain its market, both to the public and in courtrooms, strongly relies on the lack of local evidence of the ill effects and on the invisibility of asbestos-related diseases in LA, due to the limited number of studies and the exposed workers’ difficulty accessing health services. The few epidemiological studies available show clear evidence of clusters of mesothelioma in municipalities with a history of asbestos consumption and a forecasted rise in its incidence in Argentina and Brazil for the next decade. In Brazil, non-governmental organizations of asbestos workers were pivotal to counterbalance misinformation and inequities, ending recently in a Supreme Court decision backing an asbestos ban. In parallel, continuous efforts should be made to stimulate the growth of competent and ethical researchers to convey adequate information to the scientific community and to the general public.

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Occupational cancer burden in developing countries and the problem of informal workers

Cited by 7 publications

References 13 publications

The proportion of cancer attributable to occupational exposures

The proportion of cancer attributable to occupational exposures

The Fraction of Cancer Attributable to Ways of Life, Infections, Occupation, and Environmental Agents in Brazil in 2020

Prevention of Asbestos Exposure in Latin America within a Global Public Health Perspective

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