Introduction/framework/objectives

There are oncological pathologies in which it is believed that some occupational exposures can modulate their appearance. The aim of this review was to summarize, in a succinct and practical way, what most relevant and recente data was published on the subject, in the international literature, in relation to Gastric Cancer.

Methodology

This is a Bibliographic Review, initiated through a search carried out in January 2022 in the databases “CINALH plus with full text, Medline with full text, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Methodology Register, Nursing and Allied Health Collection: comprehensive, MedicLatina and RCAAP”.

Contents

Gastric Cancer is the fifth most common and the second or third deadliest.

Pathogenesis includes a complex interaction between genetic, microbiological, environmental and dietary factors, as well as alcohol, tobacco and socioeconomic status. The possible association with occupational issues is insufficiently investigated; references are found for wood, aromatic amines, pesticides/herbicides, coal, chromium, cadmium, lead, asbestos, solvents, nitrogen oxides, ionizing radiation/rádon and Helicobacter Pylori.

The most relevant activities in this context are stone extraction/mining; agriculture; fishing; ceramics, textiles, food, rubber, leather and cosmetics production; traditional Chinese medication; laundry (traditional and dry); as well as works with dust and/or high temperatures (metallurgy, foundry, boilermakers) and fire departments.

Discussion and Conclusions

There are some sectors/tasks/agents associated with Gastric Cancer with greater or lesser consensus in the international literature. All Occupational Health and Safety professionals working in these areas and all workers involved must be aware (at least briefly) of the associated conditions, in order to mitigate the risk. It would be interesting to assess their knowledge on this topic and understand, among the most relevant sectors at the national level, which concrete protection measures (collective and individual) are taken and what their respective effectiveness appears to be.

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