addition, Section 32-A lays down several conditions before a disability or death
may be considered compensable, to wit:
SECTION 32-A OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
For an occupational disease and the resulting disability or death to be compensable,
all of the following conditions must be satisfied:
1. The seafarers work must involve the risks described herein;
2. The disease was contracted as a result of the seafarers exposure to the
described risks;
3. The disease was contracted within a period of exposure and under such other
factors necessary to contract it;
4. There was no notorious negligence on the part of the seafarer.[26]
Bladder cancer refers to any of the several types of malignant growths of the
urinary bladder. The most common symptoms of bladder cancer include blood
in the urine (hematuria), pain or burning sensation during urination without
evidence of urinary tract infection, and change in bladder habits, such as having
to urinate more often or feeling the strong urge to urinate without producing
much urine. However, these symptoms are nonspecific and may be linked with
other conditions that have nothing to do with cancer, [27] such as benign tumors,
bladder stones, an overactive bladder, or an enlarged prostate.[28]
It is not yet known what causes most bladder cancers, but experts have
identified major risk factors such as smoking, working in industries which use
aromatic amines, as well as those in the rubber, leather, textile, paint product
and printing companies. Other workers with increased risk include painters,
hairdressers, machinists, printers and truck drivers (exposure to diesel
fumes). Race, increasing age, gender, chronic bladder inflammation, personal