Brussels, Belgium /20/04/16.  The  European  Academy  of  Dermatology  and  Venereology (EADV)  launched  a  Global  Call  to  Action  urging  policy  makers,  employers,  workers’ organisations and physicians to protect Europe’s outdoor workers from skin cancer caused by solar UV-radiation. The Call was launched at a policy debate  in  the European Parliament, hosted by MEP Nessa Childers (S&D),  Vice President of the European Parliamentary Interest Group  ‘MEPs  Against  Cancer’,  and  co-hosted  by  MEPs  Mr.  Ole Christensen (S&D) and  Mr. Jens Gieseke (EPP).

“Occupational skin cancer  is  a  real  threat  to  our  workforce.  Moreover,  at  a  time  when healthcare  budgets  face  unprecedented  strains,  protecting  our  outdoor  workers  from  UVinduced  skin  cancer  should  be  at  the  top  of  Europe’s  public  health  agenda”,  said  EADV President Prof. Dr. Erwin Tschachler.

The  policy  debate  highlighted  the  fact  that  there  are  easy,  simple  and  cheap  solutions  to avoid this preventable form of cancer.

MEP  Nessa  Childers  (S&D)  commented,  “We  have  a  chance  to  push  forward  policies  and measures  that  can  have  a  big  impact  on  the  health  of  our  workers  and  which  do  not necessitate  large  investments  by  either  companies  or  governments.  This is  the  time  for Europe to lead by example and ensure that the workplace is a safe place for all”.

“The question therefore is whether, in line with the available evidence, EU policy-makers will act accordingly“, asked Prof.  Dr.  Swen  Malte  John,  Chair  of  the  EADV’s  Media  &  PR Committee, while presenting the Global Call to Action.

The event is part of the EADV’s campaign “Skin Cancer: Safe Work Under The Sun”. EADV’s Global Call to Action asks, among others, for an improved legislative framework to protect outdoor  workers  more  effectively,  official  recognition  of  UV  induced  non-melanoma  skin cancers as occupational diseases, as well as promotion of and education on the simple and cheap techniques of sun-safe behaviour and prevention of skin cancer.

At  the  debate,  speakers  from  the  EADV,  the  World  Health  Organization,  the  European Commission,  the  European  Federation  of  Building  and  Woodworkers  and  the  Centre  for Health Economics  of the Hamburg University,  took the floor to expose the danger of solar UV radiation to the health and safety of 14.5 million outdoor workers in Europe. Whereas solar radiation has been long recognized as a group I carcinogen and is the leading cause of non-melanoma skin cancer worldwide, most outdoor workers are unaware of the dangers of working under the sun. In addition, there is no EU-wide requirement to protect workers at risk.

Contact
Nikos Manaras
Senior EU Affairs and Media Coordinator EADV
38 Avenue General De Gaulle
1050 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32 2 650 00 90
Tel (Direct): + 32 2 650 00 96
Mobile: +32 475 264649
nikos@eadv.org

About EADV

Founded  in  1987,  EADV  is  a  non-profit  association  whose  vision  is  to  be  the  premier  European  DermatoVenereology Society, with the key aims of improving the quality of patient care, providing continuing medical education  (CME)  for  all  Dermato-Venereologists  in  Europe,  and  advocacy  on  behalf  of  the  specialty  and patients.

The  membership  concept  has  been  broadened  to  include  all  areas  of  Europe  and  elsewhere,  and  the development of alliances and affiliations with other organisations.

For further information about the Academy, please contact us under +32 2 650 00 90 or visit www.eadv.org