The role of occupational health services in cancer prevention – which factors determine the implementation of preventive measures?

• Authors: Marta Wiszniewska , Andrzej Marcinkiewicz , Agnieszka Lipińska-Ojrzanowska , Katarzyna Kalska-Sochacka , Jolanta Walusiak Skorupa

Abstracts

EN

ObjectivesEpidemiological data on cancer diseases are alarming. The workplace has become an increasingly important site for disseminating health information and implementing health promotion activities. Occupational medicine physicians (OMPs) have the opportunity to carry out primary and secondary preventive activities focused on civilization diseases, especially cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of OMPs in cancer prevention, including the analysis of factors determining the implementation of preventive measures, as part of standard healthcare for employees.Material and MethodsThe study was conducted among 362 OMPs. The interviews were carried out by the computer assisted telephone interview (CATI) method.ResultsOver 60% of the surveyed OMPs are ready to implement cancer preventive activities among employees. The doctors with the longest seniority in occupational health services are more likely to declare unwillingness to implement cancer preventive activities. Patient’s consent, informing women about the program and adjusting the time of the medical visit are the most important conditions for introducing cancer prevention programs by OMPs. Neither seniority nor the number of examinations performed by a physician influenced the currently implemented cancer preventive activities as part of occupational health services (including the evaluation of cancer risk factors occurrence among employees).ConclusionsIn Poland, OMPs are willing to implement cancer preventive activities among employees, but their current activity in this area is limited and needs development. The most specific actions should be addressed to doctors with the longest seniority in occupational health services, who are frequently unwilling to implement cancer preventive activities. Strengthening the preventive potential of Polish occupational health services requires a systemic approach to the scope and way of action of healthcare professionals.

Keywords

EN

mammography; occupational health services; cancer prevention; cytology; surveillance; screening program

• Publisher: Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. dra Jerzego Nofera w Łodzi
• Journal: International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health
• Year: 2021
• Volume: 34
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 723-736

Dates

published

2021

Contributors

author

Marta Wiszniewska

• Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland (Department of Occupational Diseases and Environmental Health)

author

Andrzej Marcinkiewicz

• Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland (Department of Occupational Diseases and Environmental Health)

author

Agnieszka Lipińska-Ojrzanowska

• Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland (Department of Occupational Diseases and Environmental Health)

author

Katarzyna Kalska-Sochacka

• University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland (Science Centre)

author

Jolanta Walusiak Skorupa

• Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland (Department of Occupational Diseases and Environmental Health)

Identifiers

DOI

10.13075/ijomeh.1896.01793

Biblioteka Nauki

2093890