Demand for recognising non-melanoma skin cancer as an occupational disease published by leading journal

In March 2023, our editorial calling for keratinocyte carcionoma – which comprises two most common forms of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) – to be recognised as an occupational disease was published in the British Medical Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

The publication of this article, co-authored with some of Europe’s leading experts in dermatology, public and occupational health, is a huge success and an important step forward in recognising the need to prevent outdoor workers from developing this common but potentially serious condition.

Our discussion paper, launched last year, outlines key actions to address the significant risk of developing NMSC that outdoor workers face. We want to see policies in place that:

• recognise NMSC as an occupational disease
• provide prevention programmes for outdoor workers
• support timely diagnosis of occupational NMSC
• implement multidisciplinary approaches to treatment and care
• provide holistic ongoing follow-up and support.

The ultimate goal of this project is to see a coordinated effort between healthcare providers, researchers and policymakers to implement national and regional policies that protect workers from NMSC.

Read more about the project here.