World Cancer Day is on 4 February. The day is observed throughout the world with the aim of raising awareness, supporting those affected, and promoting efforts to detect and prevent the disease.
While smoking remains the single largest cause of cancer worldwide and in the UK, other hazards and risk factors are less commonly recognised.
This World Cancer Day, we’re looking at some of the most significant preventable causes of cancer, particularly risks associated with work.
Key Takeaways
- World Cancer Day is observed globally on 4 February to raise awareness about cancer, promote prevention, and advocate for better access to care.
- Occupational exposure to harmful substances such as asbestos and silica dust is the third largest cause of cancer in the UK after smoking and obesity.
- Raising awareness of occupational hazards and regulatory control measures is essential to protect workers.
What is World Cancer Day?
World Cancer Day was established by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) in 2000 to promote cancer awareness, encourage prevention, and advocate for better access to cancer care. It takes place every year on 4 February.
The theme this year is “United by Unique,” which calls attention to the fact that every experience with cancer is unique and yet the challenge itself requires a united effort.
For World Cancer Day 2025, we’re raising awareness of occupational hazards that increase the risk of developing cancer.
What is Cancer?
Cancer is a disease characterised by the uncontrolled growth of cells. These abnormal cells can invade surrounding tissue and organs, sometimes spreading from one part of the body to other areas.
Left untreated, cancer grows and spreads with a progressive worsening of symptoms and, eventually, death. There are over 200 types of cancer, each with different symptoms and treatments.
How Cancer Starts
Cancer is caused by errors (known as mutations) in the DNA inside cells. DNA tells the cell how to function, including how to grow. Certain mutations in the DNA can instruct a cell to grow uncontrollably and become cancerous.
About 5–10% of cancers are attributed to mutations people are born with. The remaining 90–95% are caused by mutations from environmental and lifestyle factors.
Risk Factors
Many factors can increase the risk of cancer. These include factors that damage DNA directly and those that inhibit the body’s ability to repair DNA and prevent cancer.
- Smoking is the single biggest cause of cancer in the UK, responsible for 15% of all cancers, according to Cancer Research UK.
- Obesity is the second biggest preventable cause of cancer after smoking, contributing to around 6% of cancer cases.
- Past exposure to harmful substances at work is the third-largest preventable cause of cancer in the UK, contributing to an estimated 5% of cancer deaths.
Next among the largest preventable causes of cancer in the UK are direct sunlight, certain infections, drinking too much alcohol, and a low intake of dietary fibre.
Occupational Cancer Risks
There are 8,530 occupational cancer deaths and 20,010 occupational cancer registrations every year in the UK, according to 2024 estimates from the Health and Safety Executive. The construction industry is responsible for over 40% of these deaths and registrations.
Occupational cancer risks in the UK include:
Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in construction before its complete ban in 1999. Hundreds of thousands of buildings in the UK still contain asbestos.
Disturbing asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) releases harmful fibres. If inhaled, these fibres can cause a range of severe diseases, including mesothelioma (a rare form of cancer) and lung cancer. Past asbestos exposure is the leading cause of occupational cancer today.
Silica Dust
Silica is one of the most abundant minerals on earth. It’s a major component of most construction materials, including bricks, tiles, concrete, sandstone, and granite.
Tasks such as cutting, drilling, grinding or polishing these materials create fine silica dust, known as respirable crystalline silica (RCS). Heavy and prolonged exposure to RCS causes lung cancer and other serious respiratory diseases. Silica dust is the second-biggest risk to construction workers after asbestos.
Other Risks
Other major causes of occupational cancer include:
- Diesel engine exhausts
- Mineral oils
- Sun exposure for outdoor workers
Health and Safety Training for Cancer Prevention
World Cancer Day is an opportunity to promote awareness of cancer and, more importantly, its preventable causes. Regulations are in place to protect workers from occupational causes of cancer, but awareness and training are key to ensuring both prevention and legal compliance.
We offer online Health and Safety Training courses for workers, supervisors, and those responsible for workplace safety and compliance. Our training courses on asbestos, silica dust, and COSHH regulations provide essential awareness to stay safe from carcinogens and other harmful substances.
About the author(s)
Jonathan Goby
