Public Health Strategies to Mitigate the Burden of Occupation-induced Hematological Malignancies

Hematological malignancies include a wide range of cancers that affect the blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic system, including leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. The available global estimates suggest that these malignancies together account for a significant burden of the new cancer cases in the period 1990-2019, with incidence rates quite variable depending on the age group and geographic region. The results of a meta-analysis from Africa reported the pooled prevalence of hematological malignancies of 27.3% among study participants, with leukemia and lymphoma accounting for 53% and 38% malignancies, respectively. A wide range of occupational exposures have been linked with the development of hematological malignancies. Despite the presence of wellresearched findings that have established a connection between different occupational exposures and corresponding hematological malignancies, we have not been successful in reducing the overall burden. Acknowledging the burden of occupation-induced hematological malignancies, their universal distribution, and the preventable nature of these conditions, there is an immense need to plan and implement targeted public health interventions to improve the existing scenario. In conclusion, occupational exposures in different industries have been linked to the development of hematological malignancies among exposed workers. There arises the need to adopt an integrated approach, combining different levels of prevention with regulatory support, policy changes, and research work to break the link between occupation and hematological malignancies.