Occupational cancer among workers exposed to hazardous and dangerous working conditions in the Republic of Bashkortostan

Abstract

The problem of the studies on occupational cancer diseases is one of the most important issues of occupational health. Its significance is due to a gap of knowledge, an increase in morbidity and mortality rate from cancer. The Republic of Bashkortostan is one of the most developed industrial regions of Russia with a significant number of production processes where carcinogenic substances and factors are used. The analysis has shown that the greatest number of carcinogens is found in the production of continuous fiberglass, rubber products, lubricants and cooling materials, fuels, and organic substances. Over the past 10 years, only 11 cases of work-related malignancies have been identified in the republic. The main reasons for the development of occupational neoplasms (skin, larynx, lungs, blood) are Group I chemicals (the degree of evidence is sufficient) (72.7 %). Exposure to physical factors (ionizing radiation) led to the development of occupational cancer (kidney, thyroid, connective tissue) in 27.3 % of patients. A low identification rate of occupational neoplasms in the republic indicates the need to be increasingly cautious about cancer at the stages of preventive health check-ups of workers exposed to carcinogenic factors and substances.