Press release
73/2011
08.12.2011,
Helsinki
Over 90% of recognized occupational cancers are asbestos-induced. In 2009, 130 new asbestos cancers were reported; either lung cancers or mesotheliomas. Those at the highest risk of cancer are people who have both smoked regularly and been exposed to asbestos in their work. An American study estimates that low-dose computed tomography (CT) screening could help reduce deaths from lung cancer.
"Those who have been exposed to asbestos could be screened for lung cancer through periodic check-ups," says Chief Physician Tapio Vehmas, at the Research Day of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health on 1.12. "CT should be taken into use as a pilot project, and its effectiveness followed through research.
"The problem with this type of screening relates to false positive findings, which cause unnecessary worry and an extra burden to the health care system. However, the American study claims that the advantages of the screening outweigh its disadvantages."
"Now is the time to decide to start screening among those with significant past exposure to asbestos. Otherwise time will take care of the problem," agrees Harri Vainio, Director General of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. "Current periodic chest x-rays do not reduce mortality from lung cancer of those who have been exposed to asbestos. Through regular CT screening, we could avoid the premature deaths of people at high risk of lung cancer."
In Finland lives about 50 000 people who were exposed to asbestos before the ban on its use in 1994. Because of its long latency period (10-40 years), over half of those diagnosed are now retired, and asbestos-related diseases will continue to surface in the coming years. Occupational health services provide periodic screening every three years for those still at work, but pensioners have to take care of periodic screening themselves. It takes a perceptive doctor to connect the disease to asbestos exposure during work life.
"The occupational group most at risk of cancer is asbestos sprayers. Former asbestos quarry workers, dock workers, and some builders are also at multiple risk. The cancer risk of builders is only just above the general cancer risk," says Chief Physician Panu Oksa.
Even now, over a thousand workers annually work with asbestos, the largest group being asbestos removers. Asbestos removal work is subject to licence and requires special training.
"Good protection is of exceptional importance if we are to avoid a new wave of asbestos-related diseases in the coming decades," says Oksa "Our goal is an asbestos-free Finland."
Global ban called for on production and use of asbestos
"We still produce over two million tonnes of asbestos per year," says Ken Takahashi from Japan's University of Kitakyushu. "An estimated 107 000 people die of asbestos-related diseases every year. These diseases will increase greatly in the coming years."
WHO and the ILO support a global ban on asbestos, but so far, the economic interests of states and organizations have overrun the health perspective.
"Asbestos is used the most in Asia, Russia and other former soviet countries. The Korean state has now joined in the movement to ban asbestos and promotes national co-operation to try to realize this goal," says Takahashi, who is delivering the Jorma Rantanen lecture at this year's Research Day, the topic of which is: "Towards global elimination of asbestos-related diseases".
Further information:
Chief Physician Panu Oksa, FIOH, tel. +358 40 544 9415, panu.oksa(at)ttl.fi
Professor Harri Vainio, Director General, FIOH, tel. +358 30 474 2341, harri.vainio(at)ttl.fi
Professor Ken Takahashi, MD, MPH, PhD, Professor of Environmental Epidemiology, Acting Director of the WHO-CC for Occupational Health, IIES, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, President, Asian Association of Occupational Health, ktaka(at)med.uoeh-u.ac.jp
National Cancer Institute research
Reduced lung-cancer mortality with low-dose computed tomographic screening
Authors: National Lung Screening Trial Research Team.
Journal: N Engl J Med. 2011 Jun 29. [Epub ahead of print]
Each year, the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health chooses the Jorma Rantanen Lecturer. Nominees must have an internationally acclaimed reputation for their achievements in the promotion of the field of occupational health and safety. The lectures attract high-level international experts to Finland and offer the opportunity to hear outstanding presentations. Ken Takahashi is the 2011 Jorma Rantanen Lecturer.
Modified 08.12.2011 Vauhkonen Tuula