[The role of epidemiology in the identification of carcinogenic risk in the workplace: past and present].
This review considers some facets of the problem of the recognition of carcinogenic risks in the workplace. The crucial role that long-term animal experiments have had over the decades in the recognition of the carcinogenicity of agents which are present in the workplace should not be underestimated. Further, awareness should be developed about the obstacles met by the implementation of long-term epidemiological studies on occupational cancer and to the fact that not infrequently the interpretation of results of such studies is problematic.Thus, within the philosophy of the precautionary principle, risks suggested by studies in laboratory animals should not be ignored. Recent observations on risks associated to melamine are a good example of the consequences of imprudent interpretations of findings in laboratory animals. Another paragraph is addressed to proposals of screening for cancer in asymptomatic workers. Basic principles of cancer screening are recalled. For no site known to be the target of occupational carcinogens, currently, there is evidence that ad hoc screening programmes offered to asymptomatic workers have the potential for improving the natural history of the disease. Finally, a comment is made on the increasing attention given to genetic susceptibility to occupational cancer. As yet, no convincing findings have been obtained in this area. In any case, this line of research is not to be considered as an approach to preventive strategies alternative to the elimination of exposure to occupational carcinogens.
Terracini
Benedetto
B
Centro per la prevenzione oncologica della Regione Piemonte, Torino, Italia. benedetto.terracini@fastwebnet.it
D032761:Animal Experimentation; D000818:Animals; D002273:Carcinogens; D002648:Child; D004782:Environmental Health; D004813:Epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007558:Italy; D016239:MEDLINE; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012117:Resins, Synthetic; D013997:Time Factors; D014227:Triazines; D017132:Workplace
D002273:Carcinogens; D012117:Resins, Synthetic; D014227:Triazines; C011907:melamine