Everyone needs to work to survive and live. Unfortunately, some of these jobs may cost someone else’s life. These ill-fated circumstances are due to diseases generally categorized as Occupational Cancer.
Occupational cancer is usually caused by being exposed to a carcinogen present at work. Unfortunately, most cancers cannot be treated and are typically life-threatening. The formation of cancer in one’s body starts when their cells grow abnormally. These cells may form lumps called tumors. If these tumors are diagnosed as malignant, they are cancer.
According to experts, occupational cancer related to work is the leading cause of death around the world. So, if you have cancer and there’s a possibility that your workplace has caused it, you may need help from a personal injury lawyer like Reid Acree, Jr., Attorney at Law. These experts will help you receive compensation, especially if you need to finance life-long medications, such as chemotherapy.
Furthermore, here are things you should know about occupational cancers, especially their types, causes, and symptoms:
1. What Are The Causes Of Occupational Cancer?
As mentioned before, occupational cancers are due to prolonged exposure to carcinogens found at work. Carcinogens are the primary cause of cancers. These carcinogens can be classified into three categories: Biological, Chemical, and Physical. So, how do they differ from one another?
• Biological Carcinogen is due to microorganisms, usually viruses, that damage the cells or inhibit the function of your body to control the growth of abnormal cells. The most common biological carcinogens are Hepatitis viruses and HIV.
• Chemical Carcinogen is due to carcinogenic chemicals that may be present at work. The most common chemical carcinogens are asbestos and more.
• Physical Carcinogen is the most common and the leading cause of occupational cancers. These are usually due to ionizing radiation, which has a high potential to cause cancer. Some forms of radiation could be from X-rays, alpha, beta, and gamma rays. However, if the condition is skin cancer, the most probable cause is UV rays.
Therefore, if you’re workplace hosts these carcinogens, make sure to wear the appropriate gear and protection at all times to prevent any possible exposure to them.
2. What Are The Common Types Of Occupational Cancers?
Occupational cancers may arise due to exposure to substances and differ depending on your workplace. Here are occupational cancers and their work-related causes:
• Stomach, Pharyngeal, And Mesothelioma Cancers – may be due to asbestos and its by-products.
• Bone, Brain, Breast, Colorectal, Liver, And Biliary Cancers – may primarily be due to ionizing radiation. However, liver and biliary cancers may also be due to vinyl chloride and trichloroethylene.
• Leukemia – may be due to several factors, such as benzene, formaldehyde, ionizing radiation, ethylene oxide, and arsenic-free insecticides.
• Lung – may be due to different harmful causes, such as arsenic, asbestos, energy-related processes, metal production, ionizing radiation, strong inorganic acid, inorganic lead, heavy metals, radon, and welder-related works.
• Eye Melanoma – may be due to welder-related works.
• Nasal-Related Cancers – may be due to formaldehyde, wood dust, leather dust, textile industry, and nickel.
• Laryngeal Cancer – may be due to rubber production, asbestos, sulfuric acid mists, and other strong inorganic acids. These are the types of cancers and their causes that you should avoid because, as you know, cancers are life-threatening with a very low chance of winning and high treatment costs.
What Are The Symptoms Of Occupational Cancers?
Unfortunately, it may take years before some symptoms arise, and in this case, some people are diagnosed at the most severe stage. The final stage of cancer is stage four, and in this stage, people might have a very low chance of defeating it.
Furthermore, different types of cancer may show or exhibit different symptoms. Here are the most common signs you would need to observe:
• Bleeding
• Consistent loss of appetite
• Problematic bowel movements
• Lumps
• Breathing difficulties
• Scaly and reddish skin
• Fatigue and weakness
• Anxiety
• Constantly occurring fever
• Unexplained body pains
• Jaundice or yellowing of the skin
• Consistent coughing
If the following symptoms occur, it would be best to consult your doctor immediately to diagnose the cause and give you medications to prevent the symptoms from worsening.
4. How To Prevent Occupational Cancers?
Fortunately, occupational cancers may be prevented, and here are the ways to do it:
• The first thing you need to do is identify all the possible carcinogenic agent in your workplace. You may check the label of every raw material used and search for problems concerning prolonged exposure.
• Check if your company has specific ways to limit the exposure to carcinogens, such as ventilation and facility enclosure.
• Develop a process to reduce exposure by wearing personal protective equipment and gear.
• Store chemicals in closed and properly labeled containers inside a restricted room.
• Make sure that waste materials are correctly disposed to prevent exposure to harmful substances outside the workplace.
These are the primary protocols your company should establish before operating. If these are not properly observed inside the company, consult a personal injury lawyer and ask if they may be held liable for failing to address safety protocols in the workplace.
Cancers Conclusion
Cancer is one of the diseases people are usually afraid of because it’s mostly incurable and may cost expensive and long-term medical treatments. However, most of these cancers can be found in workplaces, hence the term occupational cancers.
Occupational cancers are caused by prolonged exposure to carcinogens or cancer-promoting agents. Unfortunately, most symptoms of cancers occur at a later stage, which is extremely difficult to treat and cure. That’s why it is important to prevent them from occurring by following protocols or wearing protective gear to reduce the risk and exposure to harmful substances.
Furthermore, if you are diagnosed with cancer, the first thing you need to do is determine what may have caused it. Also, you may need the help of a personal injury attorney, especially if you are concerned about the compensation which could help you with your treatment.
