Issue:
Occupational diseases, especially those with a long latency like lung cancer and mesothelioma, are under-recognized and under-reported. Physicians often do not take an occupational history and barriers to history taking include both lack of time and knowledge. While these problems are well recognized, there are few intervention studies to improve occupational history taking, making the link between exposure and disease and assisting with reporting to workers’ compensation authorities.
Objectives:
The objectives of the development project are to develop and test processes for:
1. Identifying occupational asbestos exposure in male mesothelioma patients and in lung cancer patients in Ontario;
2. Determining whether those with self-reported workplace asbestos exposure want assistance in assessing their exposure and possible compensability;
3. Providing assistance to those who wish it.
Anticipated Results:
The results will provide estimates of numbers of patients who report exposure and request a referral. These estimates are necessary to design the intervention study. The results will identify optimal methods of history taking and referral to ensure that the interventions for a large study are feasible and practical. The study will provide an opportunity for the key groups in occupational disease research to work together and with the cancer care delivery system to build strong partnerships for future studies.
Investigators:
Linn Holness (St. Michael Hospital), Loraine Marrett (Cancer Care Ontario/Occupational Cancer Research Centre), Irena Kudla (St. Michael Hospital), John Oudyk (OHCOW), Karin Hohenadel (Cancer Care Ontario)
