02/06/2008
The lack of training of most general practitioners in the field of occupational medicine explains why most work-related lung cancers in France are often unreported. This was the conclusion of a study carried out in the Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur region (South of France) where 400 GPs were surveyed on the basis of two case-scenarios: one worker with lung cancer who is a smoker and another one who does not smoke. In the case of the non-smoker, two GPs out of three accepted to complete the occupational disease certificate without which no administrative or legal proceedings can be initiated. In the case of the smoker, only one out of three GPs accepted to do so.

In France, when cases of occupational diseases are reported, it is not necessary to prove in the first stages of the proceedings that the disease could have been caused by the occupation. The person responsible for the survey thinks it is unfortunate that most French GPs are unaware of the procedure. He believes it is due to a lack of cooperation between GPs and occupational doctors.

Source: Journal de l’Environnement