[A comparative study of cancer mortality according to the work activities of the population]

In industrialized countries the three main contaminant factors of the environment are: energy production, industrial activities and agricultural activities. A large number of epidemiologic proofs shows the great importance of the environmental factors on inducing different kinds of cancer. The purpose of this paper is studying the possible repercussions of human activities on the population health, specially focused on cancer. Four areas of the Valencian Community (two agricultural areas and two industrialized areas) has been selected. A cancer mortality study has been carried out in the different kinds of areas (CIE-IX revision) over the 1976-1989 period, calculating mortality rates per 100.000 inhabitants and standardizing them by direct method. A statistical significance test (chi square) has been applied with a reliability level for 95%. Finally, the prevailing tendency all over the studied period has been evaluated, applying a linear regression analysis to the gross rates. In industrial areas a statistically significant increase (p < 0.05) of GI system tumours, respiratory tract tumours, blood and hemopoietic tumours and benign tumours of unspecified nature has been observed. In agricultural areas the studied pathologies sustain a steady tendency, except for benign tumours and tumours of unspecified nature, showing significant increase in one of both agricultural areas. We can conclude that mortality patterns with regard to cancer are different in agricultural areas from regard to cancer are different in agricultural areas from those found in industrial areas--and this could be related to the distinct environmental and labour features in each population.