[Mortality study of cancer among Anshan iron and steel workers]

Cancer mortality in the period between 1971 and 1988 was surveyed among 71,803 male workers at thirty two major plants in Anshan Iron and Steel Corporation. A total of 5,896 deaths was registered. Cancer deaths occurred in 1,830, accounting for 31.04% of all deaths. The five leading cancers were that of lung, liver, stomach, esophagus and intestine. Cancer death rate increased with age and with calender year. The SMR for all cancers and for the cancer of lung, stomach and esophagus indicated significant excess (P < 0.01). 77.49% of all cancer deaths, and 82.82% of deaths with lung cancer occurred in smokers. The findings show that the mortality of cancer amongiron and steel workers in Anshan was the leading cause of death, and the death rate was higher than that of local and large city population such as in Beijing, Shanghai, etc. The excess cancer rate, especially that of lung cancer, may be related to carcinogenic agents in the working environment and smoking habit.