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Cancer risk among female agricultural workers: a multi-center case-control study.
L Settimi1, P Comba, P Carrieri
1Istituto Superiore di Sanitá, Rome, Italy. SETTIMI@ISS.IT
American Journal of Industrial Medicine
|June 11, 1999
Summary
Women in farming show increased cancer risks, particularly for skin melanoma and bladder cancer. The study also identified a protective effect against postmenopausal breast cancer in this occupational group.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Epidemiology
- Oncology
Background:
- Cancer risk in female agricultural workers is understudied.
- Farming women face potential exposure to agricultural hazards.
- This study investigates cancer risks in female farmers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between farming occupation and various cancer sites in women.
- To identify specific cancer types with altered risk profiles in female agricultural workers.
- To explore potential gender-specific cancer risks in farming.
Main Methods:
- A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in five Italian rural areas.
- 1,044 newly diagnosed cancer cases (aged 20-75) were analyzed.
- Unconditional logistic regression models were used to assess cancer risk associations.
Main Results:
- Increased risk for skin melanoma (OR 2.7) and bladder cancer (OR 2.7) associated with farming.
- A non-statistically significant increased risk for lung cancer (OR 1.7) was observed.
- A protective effect was noted for postmenopausal breast cancer (OR 0.4).
Conclusions:
- Farming women may have elevated risks for certain cancers, distinct from male farmers.
- A protective association was found for postmenopausal breast cancer in female farmers.
- Further research should consider exposure patterns and gender-specific responses.