Occupational Lung Cancer Surveillance in South Korea, 2006-2009.
- Author:
Jong Han LEEM
1
;
Hwan Cheol KIM
;
Jeong Seon RYU
;
Jong Uk WON
;
Jai Dong MOON
;
Young Chul KIM
;
Sang Baek KOH
;
Suk Joong YONG
;
Soo Geun KIM
;
Jae Yong PARK
;
Inah KIM
;
Jung Il KIM
;
Jung Won KIM
;
Eui cheol LEE
;
Hyoung Ryoul KIM
;
Dae Hwan KIM
;
Dong Mug KANG
;
Yun Chul HONG
Author Information
1. Department of Occupational and Environment Medicine, Inha University Hospital, Incheon, Korea. ekeeper@inha.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Occupational cancer;
Lung cancer;
Surveillance;
Occupational disease burden;
Asbestos
- MeSH:
Asbestos;
Carcinogens;
Chromium;
Crystallins;
Hospitals, University;
Humans;
Hydrocarbons;
Korea;
Lung;
Lung Neoplasms;
Radon;
Republic of Korea;
Silicon Dioxide;
Vehicle Emissions
- From:Safety and Health at Work
2010;1(2):134-139
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: The lung cancer mortality in Korea has increased remarkably during the last 20 years, and has been the first leading cause of cancer-related deaths since 2000. The aim of the current study was to examine the time trends of occupational lung cancer and carcinogens exposure during the period 2006-2009 in South Korea, by assessing the proportion of occupational burden. METHODS: We defined occupational lung cancer for surveillance, and developed a reporting protocol and reporting website for the surveillance of occupational lung cancer. The study patients were chosen from 9 participating university hospitals in the following 7 areas: Seoul, Incheon, Wonju, Daejeon, Daegu, Busan, and Gwangju. RESULTS: The combined proportion of definite and probable occupational lung cancer among all lung cancers investigated in this study was 10.0%, 8.6%, 10.7%, and 15.8% in the years 2006 to 2009, respectively, with an average of 11.7% over the four-year study period. The main carcinogens were asbestos, crystalline silica, radon, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), diesel exhaust particles, chromium, and nickel. CONCLUSION: We estimated that about 11.7% of the incident lung cancer was preventable. This reveals the potential to considerably reduce lung cancer by intervention in occupational fields.
