Geopathogenic zones and oncological morbidity of the population

Abstract

The aim of the work is to establish the effect of a geopathogenic zone on the cancer incidence in the population. Materials and methods. Over a 12-year period, the oncological incidence in the population has been studied. The main group of the population (149.6 thousand) lives in the Orikhiv-Pavlograd suture zone of the Ukrainian crystalline shield. The control group of the population (129.5 thousand) lives in the Azov coastal plain. We evaluated the odds ratio (ОR), the etiological risk of morbidity (ЕF), and the relative risk with a 95 % confidence interval. Statistical processing was performed by means of the statistical analysis software package based on Microsoft Excel. Results. Orikhiv-Pavlograd suture zone with its discontinuous faults of the lithosphere between the Azov and Mid-Dnipro microcontinents is a powerful geomagnetic territory. Its specific risks include abnormal electrical conductivity, increased EMF, radon. An increased risk of living in the indicated geopathogenic zone is indicated by the accumulation of toxic substances (Zn, Cr, Ni, Co, Mo) and high-energy fluids on fault barriers. Residents of the suture zone of discontinuous faults of the Ukrainian crystalline shield compared with the control zone demonstrate a higher incidence of malignant neoplasms (368.7 cases/100 thousand against 295.2 cases/100 thousand; P < 0.01). Living in a geopathogenic zone increases the risk of cancer both among the entire population (OR 1.4; 95 % CI 1.1–2.2, P < 0.05), and for the employable (OR 1.7; 95 % CI 1.1–2.6, P < 0.05) and older (OR 1.5; 95 % CI 1.1–2.3, P < 0.05) citizens. The etiological share of the geopathogenic factor in the development of cancer is the largest in the employable population (EF 32.7 %, 95 % CI 28.1–44.2, P < 0.05). Conclusion. Natural geological zones as a constantly acting factor on the human body differ significantly in geophysical and geochemical properties. In the suture zone of the Ukrainian crystalline shield, compared with the Azov coastal plain, the geopathogenic influence is significantly higher. A higher incidence of malignant neoplasms both among the entire population, the employable population, and among the older age is recorded there.