Occupational cancer of the urinary bladder

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Occupational Medicine
• Oncology

Background:

• The link between occupational exposures and bladder cancer has been recognized for over 70 years.
• Aromatic amines, specifically 2-naphthylamine and benzidine, are the most well-established etiological agents.
• The contribution of occupational factors to bladder cancer incidence is significant, especially in industrialized regions, potentially accounting for up to 25% of cases in men.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the established and suspected occupational risk factors for bladder cancer.
• To identify industries and specific occupations associated with an increased risk of developing bladder cancer.
• To highlight the challenges in identifying specific etiological agents in certain occupations.

Main Methods:

• Review of historical and epidemiological data on bladder cancer etiology.
• Identification of industries with confirmed or probable increased risk.
• Analysis of epidemiological studies linking various occupations to bladder cancer risk.

Main Results:

• Confirmed high-risk industries include dyestuff and chemical manufacturing, pigment and paint production, cable manufacturing, textile dyeing, leather works, coal tar, and gas industries.
• Epidemiological studies indicate increased bladder cancer risk in occupations such as barbers, butchers, clerks, electricians, hairdressers, mechanics, medical professionals, metalworkers, painters, photographers, plumbers, shoemakers, tailors, and textile workers.
• For many listed occupations, the specific causative occupational exposures remain obscure, raising questions about the causality of these associations.

Conclusions:

• Occupational exposures, particularly to aromatic amines, remain a significant contributor to bladder cancer burden globally.
• A broad range of industrial and non-industrial occupations are associated with elevated bladder cancer risk.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the specific etiological agents responsible for the increased risk observed in numerous occupations.