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. 2025 Apr 17;116(2):16997.
doi: 10.23749/mdl.v116i2.16997.

When Occupational Cancer Recognition Falters

Giorgio Assennato  1 , Chiara De Giampaulis  2
Affiliations

When Occupational Cancer Recognition Falters

Giorgio Assennato et al. Med Lav. .

Abstract

There are differences between epidemiology and legal medicine in addressing the problem of under-reporting occupational cancers. Epidemiology focuses on systematically gathering data and identifying patterns of under-reporting, which is not deemed to pose ethical dilemmas, as its goal is to improve public health outcomes. Conversely, legal medicine investigates individual cases and ensures compliance with legal standards, presenting more complex ethical challenges. Considering workers' frustrations when dealing with unrecognized occupational diseases is essential. These workers experience significant physical and emotional distress and should not have to face a complicated compensation claims process. There is a need for ethical approaches that support workers in navigating their rightful claims for compensation, not challenging their mental and emotional well-being.

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Conflict of interest statement

CdG is employed by the National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work (INAIL) – a public, non-profit entity safeguarding workers against physical injuries and occupational diseases – but opinions and views expressed here are personal and not of her employer or anyone else.

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