Facteurs de risques professionnels des cancers broncho-pulmonaires, données épidémiologiques, repérage des expositions et enjeux médico-sociaux : l’amiante comme paradigme

Abstract

Lung cancer is the most common occupational-related cancer location, although tobacco smoking is its primary risk factor. Many occupational carcinogens or exposure situations are identified as definite carcinogens with an excess of lung cancers in humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. A recent study reported a 14.6% attributable risk fraction to work for this cancer site in France, which would amount to more than 5,900 annual cases. Asbestos is the most common occupational risk factor involved in lung cancer, with an estimated 9.3% attributable fraction in humans, or 2,715 cases in France. However, at the same time, less than 1100 cases of lung cancer per year are compensated annually as an occupational disease under the general social insurance system. It is therefore essential to identify the nuisances and occupational exposure situations involved in the lung cancer, in order to put in place effective prevention strategies and close monitoring of potentially exposed employees. Finally, for a patient presenting with lung cancer, the identification of a relationship with his professional activity must be systematically sought, in order to allow him to take possible medicallegal steps for compensation of his disease, or additional request to the Compensation Fund for Asbestos Victims (FIVA) and to request a possible early termination of activity for asbestos exposure situations.1877-1203/© 2022 SPLF. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.