The congress took place this time in Athens as part of the 21st European Association of Dermato-Oncology (EADO) Congress and 11th World Congress of Melanoma. One of the results: "The fight against skin cancer in an occupational context is at a decisive turning point," said Prof. John. The event was organized by the EADO, the International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS), the Australasian College of Dermatologists (ACD), the International Commission of Occupational Health (ICOH) and the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV).
Under the emphatic motto "Occupational Skin Cancer: The Sleeping Giant", international scientists, political decision-makers and representatives of UN organizations came together to develop a global strategy against the often "underestimated killer" among occupational diseases. According to joint estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Labour Organization (ILO), whose representatives took part in the conference, around a third of all deaths worldwide from so-called "white skin cancer" - i.e. non-melanocytic skin cancer (NMSC) - are attributable to UV radiation in the workplace. At a time of increasing global warming, rising UV exposure and a growing number of outdoor professions, the extent of the problem is becoming ever more dramatic - and the pressure to act is increasing.
WHO and ILO confirm this: 1.6 billion people worldwide are exposed to UV radiation at work. Between 2000 and 2019, both skin cancer and deaths caused by sunlight almost doubled. Nevertheless, UV radiation still receives too little attention compared to other occupational cancer risks. The risk from sunlight for outdoor workers - for example in agriculture, construction or tourism - is disproportionately higher than for other workers. In a recent EU-wide survey in six Member States, UV radiation was the most frequently cited risk factor among 24 carcinogens considered. Particularly tragic: skin cancer is often only diagnosed when those affected are already retired. As a result, 98% of medical costs are not borne by employers or insurance systems, but by the employees themselves - and their families.
"We know what needs to be done," says Prof. Swen Malte John from Osnabrück University. "Prevention is the only sustainable way." This includes not only shading, protective clothing and sun creams, but also structural measures such as changing working hours, regular check-ups and targeted training for at-risk occupational groups. Early action also pays off economically. Prof. Dr. Matthias Augustin (University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf) points out: The direct and indirect costs of skin cancer in Europe amount to at least €5.6 billion annually. This is a conservative estimate, as many cases - especially of NMSC - do not even appear in cancer registers. Early prevention not only reduces suffering and mortality, but also significantly reduces long-term treatment costs.
Australia offers a model for success: the number of skin cancer cases there has been noticeably reduced thanks to decades of prevention work, legal obligations for UV prevention in the workplace and awareness campaigns ("Slip, Slop, Slap"). Even the tax authorities there now recognize expenses for sunscreen for outdoor workers as deductible.
The growing recognition of skin cancer caused by UV radiation as an occupational disease is particularly encouraging. Following Switzerland, Romania, Belgium and most recently Austria have also officially included this cancer in their systems. The pressure on countries such as Greece to join this trend is growing. At the same time, organizations are working on an international network to improve occupational health and safety in the event of UV exposure.
The next multi-stakeholder summit will take place in Vienna in September 2026 - with the hope of being able to present further progress then. John: "Hopefully, the positive momentum of this event will also lead to concrete changes in practice. The fourth summit was more than just a specialist congress - it was an urgent appeal to politicians, business and society. The time to act is now. Because the price of inaction is high: in human, economic and moral terms."
Further information for editorial offices:
Prof. Dr. med. Swen Malte John, Osnabrück University
Department of Dermatology, Environmental Medicine, Health Theory and
Institute for Interdisciplinary Dermatological Prevention and Rehabilitation
johnderm@uni-osnabrueck.de
