About the Economic Burden Study
The economic analyses for the Burden of Occupational Cancer study were led by the Institute for Work & Health. The analyses look at healthcare costs, productivity and output costs, and quality of life costs at a societal level. The economic estimates represent the total lifetime costs of newly diagnosed cancers in the year 2011.
The results provide an economic argument for investing in prevention. The economic burden of each cancer case goes beyond the cost of treatment, impacting individuals and families, workplaces, and society.
Results
| Occupational exposure | Number of cancer cases (2011)* | Total cost of new cases (2011)† |
|---|---|---|
| Asbestos | 1900 lung 430 mesothelioma |
$2.35 billion |
| Diesel exhaust | 560 lung 200 bladder (suspected) |
$684 million |
| Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons | 130 lung 50 skin 80 bladder (suspected) |
$183 million |
| Radon | 190 lung | $185 million |
| Second-hand smoke | 130 lung | $129 million |
| Silica | 570 lung | $562 million |
| Solar UV radiation | 4560 skin | $34.2 million |
| Welding fumes | 310 lung | $308 million |
*Economic costs were not calculated for all cancer sites. Only sites included in the economic evaluation are listed.
†Economic estimates represent the total lifetime costs of newly diagnosed cancers in the year 2011, in Canadian dollars. Costs for subsequent years may vary based on the number of newly diagnosed cancers.
Economic Burden Resources
- Jung YL, Tompa E, Longo C, Kalcevich C, Kim J, Song C, Demers P. The Economic Burden of Bladder Cancer due to Occupational Exposure. J Occup Environ Med. 2018 Mar;60(3):217-225.
- Mofidi A, Tompa E, Spencer J, Kalcevich C, Peters CE, Kim J, Song C, Mortazavi S, Demers PA.The Economic Burden of Occupational Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Due to Solar Radiation. J Occup Environ Hyg 2018 Jun;15(6):481-491.
- Tompa E, Kalcevich C, McLeod C, Lebeau M, Song C, McLeod K, Kim J, Demers PA. The Economic Burden of Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma Due to Occupational and Para-Occupational Asbestos Exposure. Occup Environ Med 2017 Nov;74(11):816-822.
