IDEWE and the Belgian Cancer Registry launch BOCCA database
3% of the 775,277 employees at IDEWE are diagnosed with cancer. Higher cancer burden by sector: among healthcare workers with cancer, 46% had breast cancer; in construction, 22% had prostate cancer and 12% had lung cancer. IDEWE recommendation: stay in contact with employees during absence and involve the occupational physician immediately.
IDEWE, One of Belgium’s largest External Services for Prevention and Protection at Work, and the Belgian Cancer Registry (BCR) are launching the BOCCA database (Belgian Occupational Cancer Cohort Analysis), linking IDEWE's occupational health data with the BCR's cancer registries. By combining this data with the reliable and detailed information from the BCR, a powerful database is created that allows researchers to investigate the possible indirect relationship between occupational risks and cancer development in Belgium on a large scale.
Of the 775,277 employees who underwent medical examinations at IDEWE between 1992 and 2020: 20,161 employees were diagnosed with cancer during their careers – approximately 3%. The most common cancers were breast cancer (5%), prostate cancer (3%), skin cancer (7%), lung cancer (2%), and colorectal cancer (3%). These 5 cancers account for 66% of all cancer diagnoses.
Cancer burden by sector
"While there is no direct causal link between a job or sector and specific cancer types, we do observe that certain cancers occur more frequently in specific sectors", says Dr. Hilde De Raeve, Prevention Advisor and Occupational Physician at IDEWE. "This is related to various factors - not only work-related exposures, but also age and gender."
The healthcare sector experiences the highest breast cancer burden: of all employees with a cancer diagnosis, 46% had breast cancer. "Mainly because this is a sector with predominantly female employees. This is also – like the other 4 cancer types mentioned above – a cancer that develops at a younger age, so still during the active career, which we must also take into account." Similar patterns are also reflected in education and government.
The construction sector, with a predominantly male employee population, has a significant contribution of prostate cancer (22% of all employees with a cancer diagnosis had prostate cancer) and lung cancer (12%). "The latter is likely partly explained by smoking behavior in this sector", says Dr. De Raeve. Of all sectors, this one had the highest number of smoking employees (42%). "Potential exposure to (exhaust) fumes and dust that are inhaled must also be taken into account." The transport and industrial sectors, with predominantly male employee populations, are comparable to the construction sector: prostate, lung, and colorectal cancer are most common here.
Stay in contact with employees during absence
"The impact of work-related exposures on cancer development is not yet equally clear or directly measurable across all sectors", Dr. De Raeve continues. "However, we want to highlight that we must be aware that there are sectors with a higher cancer burden. Therefore, we encourage timely cancer screening, adopting healthy lifestyle habits, and limiting exposure to carcinogens in the workplace. For employers and employees, we recommend, regardless of sector, staying in contact – from cancer diagnosis to potential return to work. There is still a persistent taboo around this topic, and the less contact, the harder it is to break through when reintegration is in sight. As an employer – and this applies to any illness – ensure a presence policy with clear agreements about the frequency of that contact. Also inform the team about how the return will happen, so you can make clear agreements about this. On the Kom op tegen Kanker website, you can find more information for developing a reintegration plan."
Don't forget the occupational physician
"Many patients forget that the occupational physician also plays an important role", says Dr. De Raeve. "You can consult your occupational physician to evaluate what adapted work is possible, what should you discuss with your employer, what supportive measures you can request, etc. Also know that nowadays there is a communication channel where the treating physician, advisory physician, and occupational physician can directly share information, with the employee's permission, which can ensure a smoother guidance process – right from the moment of diagnosis."