title: Status of occupational cancer in Lithuania.
abstract: Because industrialization in Lithuania started only about 50 years ago, occupational cancer is only now becoming an important issue. This article describes the situation of occupational cancer in Lithuania: research, exposures to carcinogens, regulation, and legal practice. Epidemiologic studies of work-related cancers have shown increased risks among cement, textile, and asbestos-cement workers. In 1997, 28% of employed workers in Lithuania were exposed to carcinogens. A legislation system regulating exposures to carcinogens, harmonized with European Directives, has recently been created. In 1995-2003, there were 5,652 new cases of occupational diseases. However, occupational cancers are seriously underdiagnosed--only one case of cancer was diagnosed as occupational. Establishment of a system that would enable diagnosis, certification, and compensation of cases of occupational neoplasms is essential in Lithuania.
authors.affiliation: Center of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Hygiene, Vilnius, Lithuania. ruta@dmc.lt
authors.forename: Rŭta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Everatt
authors.forename: Remigijus
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jankauskas
authors.forename: Agne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kuciauskaité
mesh_terms: D002273:Carcinogens / Q000592:standards / Q000633:toxicity*; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008097:Lithuania / Q000453:epidemiology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens