Prevention of Work-Related Cancers

Abstract

Work-related cancers are highly preventable. The primary responsibility for prevention rests not with the workers who are affected by cancers, but with the manufacturers and distributors of carcinogenic substances and the companies who use them. U.S. public policies of strict product liability and the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 address the issue of responsibility. Workers, health care providers, and others also have important roles that complement employers' preventive efforts. The range of prevention strategies available includes ones that should be applied to prevent potentially carcinogenic substances from being marketed and distributed; others that apply in the workplace where potential carcinogens are used; and public policy interventions aimed at ensuring universal implementation of pre-market and workplace prevention strategies. Work-related cancer remains a large problem, even though strategies exist to identify carcinogens and prevent and control on-the-job exposures. However, preventive efforts by government and the society have stalled and a continuing lack of toxicity information shows inadequate societal commitment. The principal barriers to prevention of work-related cancers are political and economic rather than scientific and medical.