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Gastrointestinal cancer among cement workers. A case-referent study
K Jakobsson1, R Attewell, B Hultgren
1Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Long-term cement workers face an increased risk of colorectal cancer. This study found a significantly higher prevalence of extensive cement work among colorectal cancer cases compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Epidemiology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Cement production involves exposure to various dusts and chemicals.
- Occupational exposures are a significant factor in gastrointestinal cancer etiology.
- Previous studies have suggested potential links between occupational exposures and cancer, but specific risks for cement workers require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between employment in a cement plant and the risk of gastrointestinal cancers.
- To determine if there is a dose-response relationship between duration of employment and cancer risk.
- To examine specific cancer sites including esophagus, stomach, colon, and rectum.
Main Methods:
- A matched case-referent (case-control) study design was employed.
- Cases included male patients diagnosed with esophageal, stomach, colon, or rectal cancer between 1922 and 1988.
- Referents were matched for age and year of death, with four referents per case, and employment was verified through plant records.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant increased odds ratio (OR) of 3.2 was observed for colorectal tumors among blue-collar cement workers with 25 or more years of employment.
- Evidence suggested a dose-response relationship between length of employment and colorectal cancer risk.
- For esophageal or stomach tumors, the OR for ever employed as cement workers was 3.2, but short-term employment was common, weakening the evidence for causality.
Conclusions:
- Long-term employment in the cement industry is associated with an elevated risk of colorectal cancer.
- The findings suggest a potential dose-response relationship, highlighting the importance of occupational exposure duration.
- While an association was noted for esophageal and stomach cancers, the predominance of short-term employment limits conclusions on causality for these sites.