Selected cancer mortality and farm practices in Iowa

Death certificate analyses of white male Iowans over age 30 who died of multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, prostate cancer or stomach cancer between 1964 and 1978 were completed. Each case was matched to two controls on age (within two years) at death, county of residence, and year of death. Consideration of usual occupation, as recorded on the death certificate, resulted in the following odds ratios for mortality due to the specified cancers among farmers: multiple myeloma, 1.48; non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, 1.26; prostate cancer, 1.19; and stomach cancer, 1.32. Each is statistically significant (p less than 0.05). Odds ratios were computed separately for three birth cohorts according to counties stratified by crop and livestock production. Multiple myeloma was elevated in those born after 1890 and was associated with number of egg-laying chickens, hog production, insecticide use, and herbicide use. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was elevated in those born before 1901 and was associated with egg-laying chickens, milk products sold, hog production, and herbicide use. Although prostate cancer was elevated in those born before 1901, it was not associated with any agricultural practice. Stomach cancer was elevated in each birth cohort. It was associated with milk products sold, cattle production, and corn per acre.