By getting up in the morning and heading to work, you are increasing your chances of developing cancer. Depending on the kind of work you do, maybe a lot more.

Occupation is the third biggest factor linked to fatal cancer. Which means you are more likely to get cancer depending on the kind of work you do.

The Canadian Cancer Incidence Atlas, which is a collaborative study conducted by governments across the country, found that 9% of all cancer deaths are related to occupation. The only factors higher are tobacco and diet (at 29% and 20%, respectively).

Older studies said that only 4% of all cancers are work related. Over the years, these out-dated studies have been used to minimize the importance of occupational cancer. New research is beginning to show that the incidence of occupational cancer is much higher than ever acknowledged. Some cancer experts now believe the number is actually even higher than 9%.

Every year in Alberta, there are 14,000 new cases of cancer diagnosed. About 4,500 Albertans die each year from cancer, the second leading cause of death.

If 9% of those cancers are linked to occupation, that means every year another 1,200 workers are found to have cancer. We lose 410 workers every year to occupational cancer.

Between 1990 and 1998, about 11,500 new cases of occupational cancer were found. About 3200 workers died from it.

Some might call this an epidemic.

WCB Ignores Problem

But WCB is not one of them. Statistics from WCB show that they accepted 93 claims for work-related cancer between 1990 and 1998 – and average of about 10 a year.

For WCB, the issue of occupational cancer is so insignificant that they could not provide details about the kinds of cancer they accepted in those years. They simply classify the claim as "malignant neoplasm", which is a generic term for cancer.

The mind-numbing gulf between the "official" WCB statistics and what appears to be really happening in Alberta highlights a troubling political problem in Alberta.

The government and WCB are ignoring the problem of occupational cancer.

What this means is unionists need to take this issue on ourselves. We need to find a way to place work-related cancer on the agenda. Dispelling Myths

The first step is to remove our own mis-conceptions about cancer. First, not everything causes cancer. While the list of carcinogenics is growing, we can still safely say that most things in life do not cause cancer.

Second, we need to learn that 70% to 80% of all cancers are caused by environmental factors – things other than a person’s "genes". Smoking, diet, alcohol and other lifestyle factors cause cancer and need to be addressed.

These causes are well-known and receive much attention from the government. Our job is to root out the factors the government isn’t paying attention to.

Third, it is not just industrial worksites where cancer is an issue. Exposure to chemicals and other cancer-causing elements can happen anywhere. Workers who operate computers have increased rates of breast cancer. Copy shop workers are exposed to high risks for lung cancer. We need to be watchful in every worksite for possible cancer risks.

Union Plan for Action

At a national level, the Canadian Labour Congress and many unions, such as the Canadian Auto Workers, are focussing on occupational cancer with campaigns. The campaigns have two goals: to lobby government to pay more attention to the issue of occupational cancer, and to educate members about the risks of cancer and what can be done to prevent it.

The AFL has resources available to help a Local wanting to minimize the risk for cancer in their worksite.

But the best place to begin is to realize that it is an epidemic.