A former caregiver’s breast cancer is finally recognized as an occupational disease

Nineteen years after its appearance, the breast cancer of a woman who worked for thirty years as a caregiver at Freiming-Merlebach Hospital (Moselle) was finally recognized as an occupational disease on January 15, 2024, reports Lorain Republican . She is the seventh person (six women and one man) to receive this recognition in France.

It was the National Union of Miners CFDT that helped this woman, now 75, win her case, he explains. France 3 Grand Est

. Working at night and exposed to radiation, she “He was present during his patients’ radiotherapy sessionsCFDT Miners Regional Secretary Brigitte Clement explains. She X-rays were taken without a lead apron and without a dosimeter. »

X-ray without lead apron and without dosimeter

This decision is a victory because breast cancer is not included in the table of occupational diseases in the Social Security Code.

So everyone concerned should plead for occupational disease recognition off the table and defend their case. Plaintiffs can now rely on the Insurm, International Cancer Center (IARC) studies on cancer and working conditions and ANSES.

According to these studies, night work, exposure to radiation and certain toxic products are factors that increase the risk of breast cancer. However, the professional fields where these factors come together are numerous: “Metallurgy, maintenance occupations, hospital sector, airline personnel and others”, Brigitte lists Clement.

CFDT miners are now campaigning to include breast cancer in the table of occupational diseases, which will enable faster processing of cases. The Union therefore encourages all people affected by breast cancer to contact it to study a possible link with their professional activity.