Objectives This cross sectional study examined the occupational cancer risk perception among 269 Iranian industrial workers according to their knowledge, job titles hazard and demographical properties.

Methods The structured questionnaire was used to measure participants knowledge and perception toward occupational cancers (α = 0.72). There was significant difference in both knowledge and perception about occupational cancers in different age, and educational groups.

Results It was significant relation between knowledge and perception (p-value = 0.001, r² = 0.323). True answer to some questions was less than 20 percent. An optimistic bias was found in participant’s perception. We developed a path analytical model for occupational cancers risk perception according to these findings.

Conclusions Our findings prove that cancers risk perception in industrial workforces is affected by several factors. Another important finding in our results is the differences between our findings and other studies about cancer risk perception in general population. It seems that there is different model for perception of occupational cancers in workforces. Further efforts should be placed in the training of workers to enhance their knowledge and subsequently their perception toward occupational cancers.