Professor Dr Swen Malte John is a world-renowned expert in occupational dermatology. In this conversation with CDA president Dr Kerri Purdy they discuss:

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  Occupational dermatology as a neglected field

  
  
  
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  A global group of scientists is assessing the burden of occupational skin cancer

  
  
  
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  In-patient contact dermatitis care permits proper diagnosis, keeping patients away from exposure to materials of concern and allowing for proper education and training of patients

  
  
  
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  Reporting of occupational dermatologic cases (50% of all occupational diseases) essential to properly address the issue

  
  
  
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  For the first time in Canada, provincial-level work has been done to assess UV exposure in the workplace

  
  
  
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  Outdoor workers must be regularly screened for skin cancer

  
  
  

Professor John is Chairman of the Department of Dermatology and Environmental Medicine at the University of Osnabrueck. He is also chair of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Dermatological Prevention and Rehabilitation at the University of Osnabrück (iDerm) and of the Lower-Saxonian Institute of Occupational Dermatology.