It's #WorldCancerDay

Last year 18,000 people were diagnosed with a type of cancer caused by their job. Sadly 9,000 people died from occupational cancer.

Asbestos is still the biggest cause of work-related cancers and work-related deaths.
These official statistics are likely an underestimation of the real numbers because often it is difficult to prove the cause is occupational. The TUC estimates the true level is likely to be well over 20,000 cases of work-related cancer a year and between15,000-18,000 deaths.
Asbestos-related cancers are linked to lots of jobs but are especially common among construction workers, miners, firefighters, plumbers and mechanics.

These cancers also pose risk to education workers, with 86% of schools still containing asbestos.
#WorldCancerDay
🧑‍🚒Firefighters are four times as likely to be diagnosed with cancer, the most common kind being skin cancer. #WorldCancerDay https://www.fbu.org.uk/news/2020/11/23/urgent-action-needed-protect-firefighters-cancer-scientists-find
👨‍✈️ Airline pilots are twice as likely to be diagnosed with skin cancer than the general population.

Research shows 1 hour in the cockpit exposes pilots to as much UVA radiation as 20 minutes in a tanning bed.

There is also a higher risk for flight attendants. #WorldCancerDay
🪦 Funeral workers are three times as likely to be diagnosed with myeloid leukaemia, a blood cancer, as a result of exposure to formaldehyde, a chemical used to embalm bodies. #WorldCancerDay
🧑‍🏭 Manufacturing workers, painters, nail technicians and others besides are all at increased risk of being diagnosed with work-related cancer due to the chemicals they inhale on the job. #WorldCancerDay
Lots of jobs increase the risk of developing different types of cancers. There are also ways of helping reduce risks and protect workers.

TUC Guide to occupational cancer: https://www.tuc.org.uk/sites/default/files/extras/occupationalcancer.pdf
#WorldCancerDay
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