Skin diseases in Norway and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in four Nordic countries: The role of occupation and occupational exposures. A population-based study

Abstract

Work-related skin diseases, highly preventable by reduction of occupational exposures, represent a challenge for all workers (World Health Organization). Moreover, the EU Commission has defined insufficient prevention a top priority problem. Whilst epidemiological studies at the population level are essential to determine etiologic factors of the work-related skin diseases, little is known about the contribution of occupational exposures to the burden of skin problems in Norway. In this thesis, Jose Hernán Alfonso addresses the role/importance of occupation and occupational exposures in the occurrence and burden of skin problems in Norway, and its contribution to the risk of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in the Nordic countries. Alfonso has gathered approaches from dermatology, occupational medicine, and epidemiology, with data material from three different national registries as well as the Norwegian Survey on Living Conditions and a Nordic Occupational Cancer Study. The findings of this thesis have relevant implications for prevention of work-related skin diseases and future research within occupational dermatology.