SS13-01 CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH DIAGNOSIS OF OCCUPATIONAL CANCERS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

Abstract

Abstract Southern Africa is facing an unprecedented triple epidemic of silicosis, HIV and tuberculosis. Exposure to silica dust is one of the commonest exposures in mining environments and worse so amongst artisanal and small-scale miners. There is a paucity of research on occupational respiratory cancers across all the southern African states with the exception of South Africa. Materials and Methods A literature review was conducted to ascertain the burden of occupational respiratory cancers in southern Africa, excluding South Africa. This was complemented by the author’s regional experience in managing several projects dealing with occupational respiratory conditions in southern Africa. Results There is a dearth of published research on occupational respiratory cancers in southern Africa. Despite an increase in occupational lung diseases among artisanal and small-scale miners, there still remains a paucity of published research on occupational lung cancers. This correlates well with the infancy of occupational health services and deficits of expertise in diagnostic skills for occupational diseases. The major challenge is a lack of expertise in diagnosing occupational diseases and work-related diseases, including occupational cancers. There are no specific occupational cancer registries in most southern African countries. The high cost of healthcare and lack of infrastructure and equipment are significant hindrances in the diagnosis of occupational cancers. Conclusions There is an urgent need to conduct research on occupational cancers in southern Africa. Infrastructural improvements and capacity building in diagnostic skills for occupational diseases including cancers is critical.