Former French nursing assistant seeks occupational illness recognition for breast cancer

A 74-year-old former nursing assistant in France is seeking legal recognition at the Metz Judicial Court to have her breast cancer classified as an occupational illness. After 42 years of service at a hospital in Hayange, the retiree argues that her condition was caused by professional exposure.

Advocates and union members from the French Democratic Confederation of Labour (CFDT) have gathered to support her case. They highlight three primary risk factors associated with her career: extensive night shift work involving 1,765 nights, exposure to ionizing radiation in radiology departments, and routine handling of chemical products.

While two regional committees previously issued unfavorable rulings, union representatives note that approximately 9.8 percent of the roughly 60,000 breast cancer cases diagnosed annually in France could potentially be linked to professional causes.