Work-Related Hematologic Cancers Identified in Patients at Hospital do Cancer I of the National Cancer Institute, RJ, BrazilIntroduction: Cancer is a disease with global public health impact and the work environment can have high concentrations of physical, chemical and biological agents, exposing workers to carcinogens.
Objective: To evaluate the profile of cases of hematological cancers suspected of being work-related cancer.
Method: Assessment of sociodemographic and occupational data of patients with hematological cancers to elaborate the occupational history followed by analysis of the relationship between exposure to carcinogens and cancer, considering the epidemiological criteria of temporality, biological plausibility and consistency.
Results: 22 cases evaluated demonstrated a relationship between cancer and occupational exposure, the main agents being benzene, solvents, oils, petroleum derivatives and formaldehyde, non-ionizing radiation and glues.
Conclusion: Occupational exposure may contribute to the occurrence of work-related cancer. The occupational record is an important tool for establishing the cause-and-effect relationship between exposure to risk factors and hematological cancers, helping health professionals in the process of notifying these cases in Brazil.
Key words:
Occupational Cancer; Occupational Risks; Surveillance of the Workers Health; Hematologic Neoplasms