Risk of brain and other central nervous system tumors in Danish agricultural workers

Agricultural workers exhibit a distinctive disease pattern, including an elevated incidence of brain and other central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Despite this, there is a gap in research that explores various agricultural sectors and different types of brain and CNS tumors. Hence, the objective of the current nested case-control study was to provide evidence in this area.

The Danish Cancer Registry was used to identify men diagnosed with brain and CNS tumors. The study encompassed a total of 6475 cases, each matched with 100 cancer-free male controls based on the year of birth. Inclusion criteria mandated that both cases and controls were born in Denmark and acquired a documented employment history, obtained from the Supplementary Pension Fund Register.

We observed no association between overall brain cancer and the combined group of agricultural employees. However, an increased risk of specific cancerous gliomas of the brain in agricultural workers, including diffuse/anaplastic astrocytoma (OR = 1.37, 95% CI 1.09-1.72) and glioma malignant tumors (OR = 1.38, 95% CI 0.56-3.37) was observed. Additionally, specific agricultural sectors, including agricultural service and livestock farming, were associated with an increased risk of brain tumors. In contrast, for tumors affecting the meninges, spinal cord, cranial nerves, and other parts of the CNS, either inverse or no associations were generally observed.

The findings indicated a heightened risk of particular cancerous brain gliomas in those employed in agriculture. Additionally, individuals employed in specific agricultural sub-sectors, such as agricultural service and livestock farming, exhibited an increased risk of brain tumors.