Occupational cancers overlooked by medical community

Anne Marchand highlights that the medical community is not sufficiently considering or investigating the professional origin of cancers, based on studies by two scientific groups, Giscop, in Seine-Saint-Denis and Vaucluse. These studies show that occupational cancers are often ignored, even by doctors, despite their significance in determining compensation rights.

Medical certificate as a gateway to compensation

The right to compensation for occupational diseases requires an initial medical certificate (CMI), which can be issued by any doctor, including general practitioners or occupational specialists. Without this certificate, patients cannot begin the process of having their cancer recognized as an occupational disease by the Social Security Fund.

Doctors’ lack of engagement with occupational health

Many doctors do not have the time or inclination to investigate occupational cancer risks, often viewing these issues as outside their scope of care. This creates a gap in the recognition process, even though all doctors have a role in identifying potential occupational causes of cancer.

Recognition drives prevention and cost allocation

Recognizing occupational cancers not only provides patients with benefits like increased daily allowances or pensions but also helps prevent future cases. It highlights the reality of occupational cancers and shifts the treatment costs to employers through the AT-MP branch of Social Security.

Doctors should ask about work conditions

Doctors are encouraged to ask patients about their professional activities, which can lead to early diagnosis. For example, knowing a patient has been exposed to asbestos or crystalline silica can prompt closer monitoring for lung cancer, similar to how heavy smokers are monitored.

Early diagnosis through occupational awareness

In the book What Work Does to Women. At the Heart of the Breast Cancer Epidemic, female workers in the flooring industry in Lot-et-Garonne received early breast cancer diagnoses because their occupational doctor considered their night shift work. Night work was classified as a probable carcinogen by IARC in 2007, leading to early mammograms.

Challenges in proving occupational cancer links

Scientifically, it is impossible to determine if a cancer is more related to one factor than another, such as whether lung cancer is caused more by smoking or asbestos. This is why the recognition system uses tables that associate specific cancers with certain professional activities.

Outdated tables hinder recognition

Current recognition tables are outdated and do not reflect the latest scientific knowledge. For example, there is no table for breast cancer, even though it is linked to professional exposures like night work or ionizing radiation. This makes recognition more difficult without a clear table to reference.

Doctors must issue a CMI when suspicion arises

Regardless of the situation, doctors have a duty to issue a CMI if they suspect a cancer may have a professional origin. The CMI does not confirm the cause but indicates a suspicion, which is the first step in the recognition process.