Occupational Carcinogen Exposure Research Articles

The Study of Exposure to Occupational Carcinogens in Iran: A Scoping Review

Background: Occupational exposure to carcinogens is a significant issue in occupational health and public welfare, with carcinogens encompassing a wide range of substances such as chemicals, metals, dust particles, and organic materials. This scoping review aims to identify, map, and summarize the existing literature on occupational carcinogen exposure in Iran across various industries and settings. It categorizes the types of carcinogens investigated, evaluates the methodologies employed for exposure assessment, and identifies research gaps and areas needing further exploration. Methods: A systematic search was conducted across multiple databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Scientific Information Database (SID), and Magiran. A total of 715 articles were identified, with inclusion criteria focusing on studies conducted in Iran, directly related to occupational carcinogen exposure, and available in full text in English or Persian. Title and abstract screening, followed by full-text evaluation, was performed by two independent reviewers. Key data were extracted and thematically analyzed to synthesize findings. Results: The review highlights prevalent types of occupational carcinogens studied in Iran and the industries that have been the primary focus of research. It discusses the various methodological approaches used to assess and quantify exposure levels, identifies key findings related to exposure and associated health risks, and uncovers significant gaps in the literature. Conclusion: This scoping review provides a nuanced portrait of occupational carcinogen exposure in Iran, identifying critical research gaps and offering a foundation for future studies. By consolidating existing knowledge, it aims to contribute to the enhancement of occupational health and safety practices in Iran, guiding the development of targeted interventions and regulatory policies.

Occupational skin carcinogens

Occupational skin cancer may manifest when employees are under exposure to one specific carcinogenic substance or more in the workplace. Workplaces often have higher concentrations of carcinogens compared to any other setting. The most common causes of skin cancer in the workplace are ultraviolet radiation, ionizing radiation, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and arsenic. However, there is only a limited number of studies on skin cancer from occupational exposure. Skin cancers that are considered mainly work-related are non-melanoma skin cancers. Their most common variants are basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and actinic keratosis. Two factors that reduced the risk of occupational carcinogen exposure are as follows: a better understanding of skin cancer risk factors involved in industrial processes and better control of the use of ionizing radiation. However, the exposure risk to ultraviolet radiation at dangerous levels remains. Worse still, this risk is often not considered. Yet, the prevention and risk reduction for occupational skin cancer requires the elimination of the contact of all carcinogens present in the workplace with the employees’ skin. Additionally, to encourage and facilitate the early recognition and management of premalignant and malignant skin lesions, training should be given to those working under higher skin cancer risk, and periodic examinations should be performed.

Latin America and the Caribbean Code Against cancer 1st edition: Environment, occupation, and cancer

Within the framework of the Latin America and Caribbean region (LAC) Code Against Cancer 1st edition, the current work presents recommendations to reduce exposure to environmental and occupational carcinogenic agents relevant for LAC. Using the methodology established by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in the World Code Against Cancer Framework and experience from developing the European Code Against Cancer 4th edition, a working group of LAC cancer-prevention experts reviewed the list of Group I IARC carcinogenic agents, identified prevalent environmental and occupational exposures in the region, and proposed evidence-based cancer prevention recommendations suited to the epidemiological, socioeconomic, and cultural conditions of LAC countries. Two sets of recommendations were drafted: those targeting the general public and a second set for policymakers. Outdoor and indoor air pollution, ultra-violet radiation and occupational exposures to silica dust, asbestos, benzene, diesel, and welding fumes were identified as prevalent carcinogens in LAC and as agents that could be reduced or eliminated to prevent cancers. Recommendations for additional risk factors were not included due to insufficient data of their attributable burden in LAC (sunbeds, radon, aflatoxin), or lack of a clear preventive action to be taken by the individual (arsenic in drinking water, medical radiation), or lack of evidence of carcinogenicity effect (bisphenol A, phthalates, and pesticides). A broad consensus was reached on environmental and occupational carcinogenic exposures present throughout the LAC region and on individual-level and public policy-level recommendations to reduce or eliminate these exposures. Key educational content for the dissemination of these recommendations was also developed as part of LAC Code Against Cancer 1st Edition.

Lymphoma Accompanyıng Pneumoconıosıs; Case Report

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) is the most common hematological malignancy, and Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common histological type. A 56-year-old male patient was admitted to our clinic with complaints of shortness of breath and fatigue for 1 month. It was learned in his professional history that he had been a dental technician for 30 years. He was diagnosed with pneumoconiosis in 2020 and his chest radiograph was q/t 3/3 according to the International Labor Organization (ILO) International Classification of pneumoconiosis radiographs. Laboratory examinations revealed an increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR 50 mm/h) and serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH 368 IU/L) levels. On thoracic computed tomography (CT), enlarged lymph nodes and lymphadenopathies (LAP) with local conglomeration and calcifications in the mediastinal, subcarinal and bilateral hilar areas were seen. Widely disseminated inhomogeneous mass-like consolidation areas, including internal calcifications, extending from the hilum to the parenchyma in both lungs, were observed more prominently in the right middle zone. Diffuse interstitial thickenings, infiltrations and centrilobular nodular density increases in both lungs, nodular consolidated areas with recessed contours and nodules and ground glass densities were observed, especially in the left upper zone. In the lateral part of the left 5th rib, a heterogeneous soft tissue mass of approximately 12x5 cm, causing cortical destruction, invading the surrounding soft tissues and muscle planes, and containing internal cystic-necrotic components was observed. On abdominal CT, enlarged lymph nodes and LAPs, some of which contain calcifications, were observed in the abdomen. The pathology result was reported as Diffuse B-Cell Lymphoma in the patient who underwent transthoracic biopsy due to radiographic appearances that are not typical for PMF. Here, we presented a case of pneumoconiosis with occupational carcinogen exposure and presenting with lymphoma.

Prevalence of possible occupational carcinogenic exposures in Brazilian workers: what does the National Health Survey say?

Resumo Objetivo: estimar a prevalência de possíveis exposições cancerígenas em trabalhadores brasileiros. Métodos: estudo transversal, com dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde de 2019. Calcularam-se prevalências e respectivos intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC95%) para possível exposição a seis carcinógenos ocupacionais: radiação solar, substâncias químicas, poeiras minerais, material radioativo, trabalho noturno e tabagismo passivo no trabalho, segundo ocupação e sexo, considerando o desenho complexo da amostra. Resultados: foram incluídos 44.822 trabalhadores, 56,33% do sexo masculino. Referiram exposição a pelo menos um agente cancerígeno do grupo 1, segundo classificação da International Agency for Research on Cancer, 49,0% (IC95% 47,8;50,2) dos trabalhadores do sexo masculino e 16,9% (IC95% 16,0;17,9) do feminino. Trabalhadores do sexo masculino, em comparação ao feminino, apresentaram maiores prevalências de exposição à radiação solar (38,1% [IC95% 37,0;39,3] vs 6,6% [IC95% 6,0;7,2]), agentes químicos (19,4% [IC95% 18,5;20,5] vs 8,3% [IC95% 7,6;9,1]), poeiras minerais (18,9% [IC95% 17,9;20,0] vs 3,3% [IC95% 2,9;3,8]), trabalho noturno (15,5% [IC95% 14,7;16,5] vs 9,4% [IC95% 8,6;10,2) e tabagismo passivo (14,3% [IC95% 13,3;15,4] vs 8,2% [IC95% 7,6;9,0]). Conclusão: a prevalência da exposição a possíveis carcinógenos ocupacionais é elevada e desigualmente distribuída por sexo e ocupação. Ações de redução, substituição e eliminação desses carcinógenos devem ser priorizadas.

Work Conditions and Practices in Norwegian Fire Departments From 1950 Until Today: A Survey on Factors Potentially Influencing Carcinogen Exposure.

BackgroundMeta-analyses have shown firefighters to be at an increased risk of several cancer types. Occupational carcinogen exposure may explain these increased risks. This study aims to describe Norwegian fire departments' work conditions from 1950 until today, focusing on factors relevant for potential occupational carcinogen exposure.MethodsWith the help of a reference group, we developed a questionnaire on topics related to occupational exposure to carcinogens for the period 1950–2018. Selected Norwegian fire departments provided department-specific responses.ResultsSixteen departments, providing fire services for 48% of the Norwegian population as of 2019 and mainly consisting of professional firefighters, responded to our questionnaire. The introduction of synthetic firefighting foams, more regular live fire training, the introduction of chemical diving, and a higher number of diesel-driven fire service vehicles were identified as changes thought to increase exposure to occupational carcinogens. Changes thought to decrease exposure included the switch from negative to positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatuses, the use of self-contained breathing apparatuses during all phases of firefighting, the use of ventilating fans during firefighting, increased attention to flammable materials used during live fire training, increased attention to handling and cleaning of turnout gear and other equipment, and installment of exhaust removal systems in apparatus bays.ConclusionNorwegian fire departments' work conditions have seen several changes since 1950, and this could influence firefighters' occupational carcinogen exposure. A peak of carcinogen exposure may have occurred in the 1970s and 1980s before recent changes have reduced exposure.

Abstract A29: Silicone-based wristband passive samplers in the detection of firefighter occupational carcinogenic exposures

Abstract Introduction: First responders (i.e., paramedics and firefighters) are exposed to hazardous chemicals such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)in the conduct of their work duties. Linking mixed chemical exposures to health conditions (e.g., cancer) is difficult given the latency period of disease, the magnitude of the potential doses, or interactions of carcinogenic compounds present while firefighting. To understand the relationship between environmental exposures and resulting toxicity, passive personal sampling devices (PSDs) have been used to monitor. In the present study, we 1) describe the type of chemical exposures encountered by firefighters in their work environment, 2) characterize and compare chemical exposures by work-shift activities (e.g., fire suppression, emergency medical services, hazmat), and 3) field test the use of silicone-based wristbands for monitoring chemical exposures in firefighters. Methods: Twenty-four wristbands were deployed across various fire services throughout South Florida. Prior to deployment, bands were cleaned using a standardized cleaning protocol to remove contamination and optimize the surface for absorption. Wristbands were then packaged in airtight bags to prevent contamination. Wristbands were worn on fire service personnel and collected at the end of a 24-hour work shift. Chemical contaminants were then extracted from the wristband and analyzed for PAHs—identified using the EPA IRIS, California Proposition 65, and IRAC datasets—using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: The average number of chemicals found across all wristbands (n=24) was 23 with 4 categorized as carcinogenic to humans (i.e., benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[j]fluoranthene, chrysene, and naphthalene). All bands had at least one PAH present, specifically, 87.5% contained benzo[b]fluoranthene (mean=5.23 ng/band), 50% contained benzo[j]fluoranthene (mean=2.05 ng/band), 79.2% contained chrysene (mean=9.55 ng/band), and 100% contained napthalene (mean=176.53 ng/band). Actual types of exposure compounds are likely to be larger than the observed data as the group of PAHs detected was limited to three existing datasets. Discussion: Silicone-based wristbands are feasible to use within the fire service to detect and characterize ambient hazardous chemical compounds. These personal self-samplers used during a 24-hour collection period identified various PAHs in the firefighter work environment. Objective measures of harmful chemical exposures in the fire service should be monitored with a comprehensive surveillance system that includes personal sampler devices. Citation Format: Alberto J. Caban-Martinez, Katerina M. Santiago, Jeramy Baum, Natasha N. Schaefer Solle, Sylvia Daunert, Sapna Deo, Erin N. Kobetz. Silicone-based wristband passive samplers in the detection of firefighter occupational carcinogenic exposures [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Environmental Carcinogenesis: Potential Pathway to Cancer Prevention; 2019 Jun 22-24; Charlotte, NC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Can Prev Res 2020;13(7 Suppl): Abstract nr A29.

Catalog of exogenous risk factors for bladder carcinogenesis.

The aim of this article is to provide an overview of recent findings regarding the risk factors for bladder cancer. Most of the available data derive from retrospective analysis. Smoking represents the most common and important risk factor. Occupational, dietary, and environmental exogenic carcinogen exposure, as well as several lifestyle factors, can increase the risk of developing bladder cancer. Bladder cancer is a common malignancy worldwide. Cigarette smoking, exposure to aromatic amines and arsenic are known risk factors for bladder cancer. Evidence on other modifiable risk factors such as carcinogen exposure derived from the diet or environment as well as occupational hazards is still weak. Medical conditions leading to chronic inflammation, altering insulin resistance, negatively modulating the immune system and/or genetic alterations may have a role in bladder cancer carcinogenesis. Further studies are, however, necessary to identify possible exogenic risk factors, as well as their interactions, that partake in the carcinogenesis of bladder cancer.

Occupational exposures and cancer: a review of agents and relative risk estimates

ObjectivesThe contribution of occupational exposures to the cancer burden can be estimated using population-attributable fractions, which is of great importance for policy making. This paper reviews occupational carcinogens, and presents...

Do Women and Men Have the Same Patterns of Multiple Occupational Carcinogenic Exposures? Results from a Cohort of Cancer Patients.

Complex exposure situations are frequent at the workplace, but few studies have characterized multiple occupational carcinogenic exposures (MOCE) and their gendered differences across jobs' characteristics. We assessed MOCE separately in male and female jobs and identified patterns of MOCE at job level. Participants (834 men and 183 women) were cancer patients recruited between March 2002 and December 2010 in the ongoing SCOP93 cohort study, Seine-Saint-Denis department, France. Job histories were collected through personal interviews, and carcinogenic exposures were assessed by a multidisciplinary expert committee using a list of 53 carcinogens. Proportion of MOCE (i.e. ≥2 carcinogens) was assessed for male and female jobs separately. Principal component analysis combined with hierarchical ascendant classification was used to identify patterns of MOCE. Among the 5202 male jobs and 885 female jobs, respectively 42 and 9% were multi-exposed. Blue-collar workers and jobs in the construction and industry sectors had the highest rates of MOCE, contrasting with jobs held in recent periods (≥1997) and by patients aged ≥45 years at job start. A gradient of MOCE was also observed according to occupational segregation for both men and women. Eight patterns of MOCE were identified among male jobs: widespread carcinogens, mixed silica dust, heavy metals/combustion products, organic compounds/radiation, metal working, solvents/heavy metals, wood dust/formaldehyde/pesticides, and fuel exhausts. Three patterns of MOCE were found among female jobs: biological/organic compounds, industrial working, and fuel exhausts. Some patterns of MOCE were job-specific, whereas other patterns were found across different occupations. These results suggest that patterns of MOCE partly differ between men and women. They stress the importance of gendering multiple exposure assessment studies and point out the inadequacy of occupational disease compensation systems based on a single factor and non-gendered approach of carcinogenesis, ignoring differences between men and women in complex occupational exposure situations.

Physical activity and lung cancer risk in men and women.

Although evidence has accumulated that recreational physical activities (PA) may reduce lung cancer risk, there is little evidence concerning the possible role of a potentially more important source of PA, namely occupational PA. We investigated both recreational and lifetime occupational PA in relation to lung cancer risk in a population-based case-control study in Montreal, Canada (NCASES = 727; NCONTROLS = 1,351). Unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR), separately for men and women, adjusting for smoking, exposure to occupational carcinogens, and sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. In both sexes, increasing recreational PA was associated with a lower lung cancer risk (ORMEN = 0.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.47-0.92; ORWOMEN = 0.55, 95% CI 0.34-0.88, comparing the highest versus lowest tertiles). For occupational PA, no association was observed among women, while increasing occupational PA was associated with increased risk among men (ORMEN = 1.96, 95% CI 1.27-3.01). ORs were not modified by occupational lung carcinogen exposure, body mass index, and smoking level; results were similar across lung cancer histological types. Our results support the previous findings for recreational PA and lung cancer risk. Unexpectedly, our findings suggest a positive association for occupational PA; this requires replication and more detailed investigation.

The contemporary landscape of occupational bladder cancer within the United Kingdom: a meta-analysis of risks over the last 80 years.

To profile the contemporary risks of occupational bladder in the UK, as this is a common malignancy that arises through occupational carcinogen exposure. A systematic review using PubMed, Medline, Embase and Web of Science was performed in March 2016. We selected reports of British workers in which bladder cancer or occupation were the main focus, with sufficient cases or with confidence intervals (CIs). We used the most recent data in populations with multiple reports. We combined odds ratios and risk ratios (RRs) to provide pooled RRs of incidence and disease-specific mortality (DSM). We tested for heterogeneity and publication bias. We extracted bladder cancer mortality from Office of National Statistics death certificates. We compered across regions and with our meta-analysis. We identified 25 articles reporting risks in 702 941 persons. Meta-analysis revealed significantly increased incidence for 12/37 and DSM for five of 37 occupational classes. Three classes had reduced bladder cancer risks. The greatest risk of bladder cancer incidence occurred in chemical process (RR 1.87, 95% CI 1.50-2.34), rubber (RR 1.82, 95% CI 1.4-2.38), and dye workers (RR 1.8, 95% CI 1.07-3.04). The greatest risk of DSM occurred in electrical (RR 1.49, 95% CI 1.19-1.87) and chemical process workers (RR 1.35, 95% CI 1.09-1.68). Bladder cancer mortality was higher in the North of England, probably reflecting smoking patterns and certain industries. Limitations include the lack of sufficient robust data, missing occupational tasks, and no adjustment for smoking. Occupational bladder cancer occurs in many workplaces and the risks for incidence and DSM may differ. Regional differences may reflect changes in industry and smoking patterns. Relatively little is known about bladder cancer within British industry, suggesting official data underestimate the disease.

Contemporary Occupational Carcinogen Exposure and Bladder Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Bladder cancer (BC) is a common disease. Despite manufacturing and legislative changes to workplace hygiene, many BCs still arise through occupational carcinogen exposure. To profile contemporary risks of occupational BC. A systematic review using PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Web of Science was performed in October 2012 (initial review) and May 2014 (final review) and was updated in June 2015. We identified 263 eligible articles. We excluded reports in which BC or occupation were not the main focus, and those with insufficient case, risk, or confidence interval data. We selected the most recent data from populations with multiple reports. Reports were selected by 2 of us independently. We combined odds ratios and risk ratios (RRs) to provide pooled RRs, using maximally adjusted RRs in a random effects model. Heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed using I2 and Begg and Egger tests. Risk estimates were annotated by occupational class using Nordisk Yrkesklassificering, or Nordic Occupational Classification, and International Standard Classifications of Occupations (NYK and ISCO-1958) Codes. Occupations were profiled by BC incidence and mortality risk over time. After data collection, we detected a sex difference in these profiles and recorded this as a secondary outcome. Meta-analysis revealed increased BC incidence in 42 of 61 occupational classes and increased BC-specific mortality in 16 of 40 occupational classes. Reduced incidence and mortality were seen in 6 of 61 and 2 of 40 classes, respectively. Risk varied with sex and was greatest in men (standardized incidence ratio, 1.03 [95% CI, 1.02-1.03]; P < .001]). From the 1960s to the 1980s, there was a steady decline in standarized incidence ratio (SIR) for both sexes. This trend reversed from the 1980s, as in the decade 2000 to 2010 the SIR increased to 1.13 (95% CI, 1.07-1.19) for men and 1.27 (95% CI, 1.12-1.43) for women. In contrast, mortality risk declined for both sexes from the 1960s to the 1990s. The overall risk of BC mortality was also greater for men (standardized mortality ratio [SMR], 1.32 [95% CI, 1.18-1.48]) than for women (SMR, 1.14 [95% CI, 0.80-1.63]). Limitations include possible publication bias, that reports stratify workers mostly by job title not task, that not all studies adjusted for smoking, and that the population was mostly derived from Western nations. The profile of contemporary occupations with increased BC risk is broad and differs for incidence and mortality. Currently the incidence seems to be increasing, and this increase is occurring faster in women than men. Improved detection mechanisms and screening are possible reasons for this. Workers with aromatic amine exposure have the highest incidence, while those exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals have the greatest mortality.

Environmental Justice at Work: The UAW, the War on Cancer, and the Right to Equal Protection from Toxic Hazards in Postwar America

During an address to the American Occupational Health Conference in Detroit, Michigan, on April 22, 1980, United Automobile Workers (uaw) president Douglas A. Fraser made a bold announcement. The uaw was declaring “war on workplace cancer” in response to an alarming series of cancer mortality studies conducted among autoworkers by government, company, and union epidemiologists. These studies revealed an “increased proportion of cancer deaths” among “workers in machining operations, foundry workers, and workers in vehicle assembly plants”; the epidemiologists believed those deaths were related to occupational carcinogen exposure. Despite the “current economic situation,” Fraser argued that ambitious cancer screening programs and tougher engineering controls on carcinogens in manufacturing were necessary. General Motors (gm) chief executive Thomas Murphy, who also spoke at the conference, chastised the Detroit News for running “glaring” negative headlines about the studies, but he did not challenge Fraser's assertion. A few months later, gm announced what the New York Times called the “largest cancer-screening program in the history of American industry,” and Chrysler Corporation soon followed with its own program.1

CAREX Canada: an enhanced model for assessing occupational carcinogen exposure

ObjectivesTo estimate the numbers of workers exposed to known and suspected occupational carcinogens in Canada, building on the methods of CARcinogen EXposure (CAREX) projects in the European Union (EU).MethodsCAREX Canada...

Compensation for occupational cancer.

The legal scope and criteria for occupational cancer in Korea was out of date. The aim of this study was to review the current criteria for occupational cancer and amend the existent criteria on the basis of recent scientific evidence. The scientific evidence and the legal list of occupational cancer were analyzed to identify the causes of occupational cancer on a global scale. The relationship between compensated occupational cancer cases and carcinogen exposure in Korea was examined. The factors associated with specific causes and target cancers were determined to produce additional criteria. Five-hundred and nineteen cases of 2,468 were awarded compensation for occupational cancer including lung, malignant mesothelioma, lymphohematopoietic, and liver cancers from January 2000 to October 2012. Between 1996 and 2005, benzene accounted for 84.4% of cases, and between 1999 and 2005, asbestos was associated with 62.3% of cases. Fourteen novel causative agents and 12 additional target cancers were identified and the final guidelines were amended to include 23 causative agents and 21 target cancers. This amendment of the criteria for occupational cancer represents the widest change in Korean history and is expected to improve the understanding of occupational cancer by providing an up-to-date and accurate reference guide.

Abstract A47: Lifetime occupational physical activity and lung cancer risk in men and women

Abstract The majority of epidemiological studies investigating the relationship between physical activity (PA) and lung cancer risk support the role of recreational PA in lung cancer risk reduction. There have been fewer studies that have examined occupational PA in relation to lung cancer risk and inconclusive results have been reported with some evidence supporting a positive association. In most of these studies, the assessment of occupational PA was crude, based either on self-reported cross-sectional assessments or simple job title-based categorizations. Consideration of lifetime occupational PA and occupational PA accrued in different age windows may provide additional information regarding the direction and magnitude of the relationship, as well as the biologically relevant time window, between PA and lung cancer risk. Methods: The relationship between lifetime occupational PA and lung cancer risk was examined in a population-based case-control study of 1,136 incident lung cancer cases and 1,457 controls conducted in Montreal, Canada. Lifetime job history was collected via in-person interviews; for each job, the main tasks conducted were also obtained. The energy expenditure for each job-related task was determined via expert assessment by an industrial hygienist and an exercise physiologist in units of metabolic equivalent of task (MET). For each job, an average MET value was calculated by weighting the MET values of each job-related task by the hours per week spent in each task. The average lifetime occupational PA level was then computed by weighting the average MET value for each job by the duration spent in that job. The interview also elicited information on the subject's habitual recreational PA. Unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for lung cancer risk associated with average lifetime occupational PA and average occupational PA levels in different age windows while controlling for potential confounders. Specifically, average occupational PA in the age windows of 18-24, 24-44 and 45-64 years in relation to lung cancer risk was examined. Confounding was assessed by combining directed acyclic graphs and the change-in-estimate procedure as a novel approach for covariate selection. Effect modification by smoking, body mass index (BMI) and exposure to occupational carcinogens was also assessed. All analyses were conducted separately for men and women. Results: The OR (95% CI) between average lifetime occupational PA and lung cancer risk, comparing the highest versus lowest quartile, was 1.38 (0.88-2.16) in men and 1.01 (0.58-1.76) in women. These associations were not modified by smoking level, BMI or occupational carcinogen exposure. Occupational PA in men was not associated with lung cancer in any of the age windows in which exposure was examined. In women, the highest versus lowest quartile of occupational PA was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer in the age window of 18-24 years (OR=1.72: 1.00-2.94); in the age windows of 24-44 (OR=0.89: 0.53-1.48) and 45-64 years (OR=0.63: 0.38-1.02) no increase in lung cancer risk was observed. When analyses were adjusted for recreational PA, results did not differ appreciably. Conclusion: These results fail to support the previously reported protective effects of PA on lung cancer risk. To the limited extent that they show a deviation from the null hypothesis of no influence on risk, they actually suggest some increased risk of lung cancer with higher occupational PA, although this relationship was inconsistent between sexes and in different age windows. This research was funded by the Canadian Cancer Society and the Guzzo-SRC Chair in Environment and Cancer. Citation Format: Vikki Ho, Marie-Élise Parent, Javier Pintos, Michal Abrahamowicz, Lise Gauvin, Jack Siemiatycki, Anita Koushik. Lifetime occupational physical activity and lung cancer risk in men and women. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Twelfth Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2013 Oct 27-30; National Harbor, MD. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Can Prev Res 2013;6(11 Suppl): Abstract nr A47.

356 National estimates of the prevalence of occupational carcinogen exposure

ObjectivesTo estimate the burden of occupationally-related cancer, the prevalence of occupational exposure to carcinogens is necessary, and this information is not available in most countries.MethodsWe surveyed 5023 Australian workers aged...

Distinct SNP Combinations Confer Susceptibility to Urinary Bladder Cancer in Smokers and Non-Smokers

Recently, genome-wide association studies have identified and validated genetic variations associated with urinary bladder cancer (UBC). However, it is still unknown whether the high-risk alleles of several SNPs interact with one another, leading to an even higher disease risk. Additionally, there is no information available on how the UBC risk due to these SNPs compare to the risk of cigarette smoking and to occupational exposure to urinary bladder carcinogens, and whether the same or different SNP combinations are relevant in smokers and non-smokers. To address these questions, we analyzed the genotypes of six SNPs, previously found to be associated with UBC, together with the GSTM1 deletion, in 1,595 UBC cases and 1,760 controls, stratified for smoking habits. We identified the strongest interactions of different orders and tested the stability of their effect by bootstrapping. We found that different SNP combinations were relevant in smokers and non-smokers. In smokers, polymorphisms involved in detoxification of cigarette smoke carcinogens were most relevant (GSTM1, rs11892031), in contrast to those in non-smokers with MYC and APOBEC3A near polymorphisms (rs9642880, rs1014971) being the most influential. Stable combinations of up to three high-risk alleles resulted in higher odds ratios (OR) than the individual SNPs, although the interaction effect was less than additive. The highest stable combination effects resulted in an OR of about 2.0, which is still lower than the ORs of cigarette smoking (here, current smokers' OR: 3.28) and comparable to occupational carcinogen exposure risks which, depending on the workplace, show mostly ORs up to 2.0.

Influence des expositions professionnelles dans les cancers n’infiltrant pas le muscle détrusor. Résultats préliminaires d’une étude prospective d’octobre 2005 à février 2009

Bladder cancer is a common condition in industrialized countries. If tobacco is still the main risk factor in lung cancer, occupational exposures carcinogens should not be underestimated.The significant excess of bladder cancer in the north part of France, with high manufacture concentration likely to have employees exposed to bladder carcinogens, has led us to study the influence of these exposures in the natural history of bladder cancer.We prospectively conducted a descriptive case-control study. A questionnaire was developed by the department of occupational disease and clinical, radiological, histological, therapeutic data were registered at the University Hospital of Lille. From October 2005 to February 2009, 69 patients were included in the study, 37 exposed to occupational carcinogens and 32 in the control group.Mean age was 61.6 years vs. 61.8 years and the sex ratio of 7.33 men to one woman vs. one woman for three men respectively in the two groups. The average age of patients exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was 59.7 years. Smokers were 86.5% and 87.5% respectively. Follow-up was 38.4 and 32.9 months respectively. Nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer were more frequent (P=0.019) in the exposed group (84.4%) than in the unexposed group (67.8%) even after adjustment for smoking (P=0.0142). The histological type, grade, presence of CIS, the early recurrence at 3 months, the number of lesions at diagnosis does not differ in the two groups even after adjustment for smoking or after subgroup analysis of the most frequent exposure. The exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (62%) and aromatic amines (37.8%) were the most represented. Of 37 patients, 13 (35%) were making a statement as an occupational disease (eight according to Table 15 ter, two according to Table 16 bis and two presented to IRB). To date one single patient is recognized as an occupational disease.We did not observe any worsening of the prognosis of bladder cancer following occupational carcinogen exposure except for the mean age at diagnosis. The small size of the population studied and the importance of smoking partner have hampered the analysis of occupational exposures.