Posted on: May 17, 2021 Posted by: Aaron_George Comments: 0

Do you have a job that you love or the routine that you always wanted to follow? Perhaps, the answer to these questions may differ. After acquiring a professional degree, many people consider a job that serves as a stable source of income. We all work round-the-clock to keep our bellies and pockets full. Our working conditions and environment vary based on the nature of jobs and impact individual performance and overall wellbeing. However, at certain jobs, workers are exposed to various harmful substances which directly affect their health. For instance, prolonged exposure of workers to carcinogens (cancer-causing agents) results in developing different types of lung cancers. Similarly, people working with heavy machinery and loud noises are more likely to have reduced hearing than those working in other fields.

Even though most companies and health authorities ensure all the safety protocols for workers, it still does not eliminate the risk of contracting workplace diseases. Millions of people die from cancer every year. Among them, thousands of people acquire this deadly disease from their workplace. Notably, occupational cancer is one of the major causes of work-related deaths. If you want to know more about occupational cancers, keep reading below.

This article highlights some cancers acquired through individual exposure to various harmful substances at the workplace and their signs and symptoms.

  1. Mesothelioma

Are you or any of your family members work in the construction industry? If anyone of you has been working at construction sites for years, there are high chances of developing mesothelioma. Now you might be thinking, “What is mesothelioma?” or if it is aggressive. It is the kind of cancer caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos, a carcinogen commonly found at construction sites. Mesothelioma develops in the thin layers of the tissues protecting various organs inside our body, mainly lungs. Construction workers have a higher risk of developing this cancer due to their occupational exposure to asbestos, which is found in roof shingles, spackling, contaminated paint, etc. The common symptoms of mesothelioma include persistent cough, difficulty breathing, and high-grade fever.

  • Pharynx or Nasopharynx cancers

This kind of cancer affects the part of the throat connecting the back of the nose and mouth. Many people who have this cancer may not have any symptoms, while others often confuse the symptoms with other diseases. The symptoms begin with a lump in the neck, hearing loss in 1 ear only, nosebleeds, tinnitus (a constant ringing or ticking sound coming from inside the ear), or stuffy nose. People working in pulp and paper mills or dealing with wood dust or paints are more prone to these cancers as wood dust can stick to the throat, and its prolonged exposure can turn into cancer.

  • Skin cancers

Although the major cause of skin cancer is an individual’s long-term exposure to UV rays, it can also occur due to other carcinogens, arsenic, coal tars, mineral oils, etc. Pest control workers and farmers deal with arsenic and other pesticides and are more prone to develop skin cancer. Besides, other professionals such as roofers and those working in the construction of roads are at increased risks of developing this deadly disease. Notably, occupational skin cancers are somewhat similar to skin tumors, which develop in a non-occupational subject such as malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, etc. In comparison, other pre-malignant lesions such as tar keratosis are more specific to occupational origin.

However, one of the most common forms of occupational cancer results from scar formation following an industrial burn. The symptoms of skin cancer include abrupt rashes on the skin, the appearance of flesh-colored nodules, or constant irritation.

  • Eye Melanoma

Eye melanoma targets the middle layer of the eye. This type of cancer is difficult to detect at an early stage as one cannot notice it while looking in the mirror. Those working as welders are more prone to develop eye melanoma because of their work. Although they wear protective gear, prolonged exposure can still strain the eye, and the welding sparks can hit the delicate layers of the eye. Normally, welding arcs produce radiation at 200 nm to approximately 1.4 micrometers, which means welding arcs generally produce extreme UV and IR radiation which can injure the cornea of the eye. The symptoms include floaters (a sensation of dust or wood in the eye), a growing dark spot on the iris, blurred or poor vision in one eye.

Conclusion

Every year, approximately 12.7 million people are diagnosed with occupational cancers each year. The number keeps increasing due to certain factors like age, genetics, or other diseases. However, occupational cancers are controllable if employers provide personal protective equipment to workers while following essential safety measures. Besides, it is best to control worker’s exposure to chemicals like pesticides or asbestos or provide them adequate breaks to reduce the risk of developing these cancers.

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