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OSH-DB Search Results
- Accession_Number:
- 10000468
- Title:
- Work-related Cancer in the Nordic Countries
- Author(s):
- Andersen, A. ; L. Barlow ; A. Engeland ; K. Kjaerheim ; E. Lynge ; E. Pukkala
- Reference:
- Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, Vol. 25, Suppl. 2, pages 1-116, 155 references
- Pubdate:
- 1999
- Subdate:
- 0000/00/00
- Abstract:
- This report presents 20 years' of cancer incidence data by occupational group for the Nordic populations. The study covers the 10 million people aged 25-64 years at the time of the 1970 censuses in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, and the 1 million incident cancer cases diagnosed among these people during the subsequent 20 years. In the 1970 censuses, information on occupation for each economically active member of the household was provided in free text in self-administered questionnaires. The data were centrally coded and computerized in the statistical offices. All the data could be reclassified into 53 occupational groups and 1 group of economically inactive persons. Person-years at risk were accumulated from 1 January 1971 until the date of emigration, date of death or 31 December 1987 in Denmark, 1989 in Sweden, 1990 in Finland, and 1991 in Norway. The four countries all had nationwide registration of incident cancer cases during the entire study period. All incident cancer cases during the individual risk periods were included in the analysis. For the present study, the incident cancer cases have been classified into 35 broad diagnostic groups. The observed number of cancer cases in each group of persons defined by country, gender, and occupation was compared with the expected number calculated from the age-, gender-, and period-specific person-years and the incidence rates for the national population. The results were presented as a standardized incidence ratio (SIR) defined as the observed number of cases divided by the expected number, multiplied by 100. For all cancers combined, the study showed a wide variation among the men, from an SIR of 79 for farmers to 159 for waiters. The occupations with the highest SIR values also included seamen and workers producing beverages and tobacco. Among the women, the SIR values varied from 83 for gardeners to 129 for tobacco workers. Low SIR values were found for farmers and teachers. Outdoor workers such as fishermen and gardeners had the highest risk of lip cancer. Almost all pleural cancers were associated with asbestos exposure. Accordingly, plumbers, welders, mechanics, and seamen were the occupations with the highest risk. Wood workers had the highest risk of nasal cancer. Most studies of nasal cancer have shown increased risks associated with exposure to wood dust, both for those in furniture making and for those exposed exclusively to soft wood. Lung cancer was the most frequent cancer among men. Tobacco smoking is the major risk factor for this disease, but occupational exposures also play an important role. Waiters and tobacco workers had the highest risk of lung cancer, followed by miners and quarry workers. Among women, tobacco workers had the highest risk of lung cancer. Male waiters, chimney sweeps and hairdressers had the highest risk of bladder cancer, as did waitresses. High risks for liver cancer were found for occupational groups with easy access to alcohol at the workplace or with cultural traditions for high alcohol consumption, such as male waiters journalists, cooks, beverage workers, and seamen. The risk of colon cancer has been related to sedentary work as shown with journalists and physicians. In the present study, the highest risks of breast cancer were accompanied by a university or equivalent education, reflecting a relatively late age at first birth among the well-educated Nordic women from the relevant birth cohorts. As the Nordic countries are well known for equity and free and equal access to health care for all citizens, the present study shows that, even under these circumstances, the risk of cancer is highly dependent on the person's position in society. [OSHDB]
- Author Affiliation:
- Aage Andersen, Cancer Registry of Norway, Montebello, Oslo, Norway.
- Funding:
- Nordic Cancer Union / Europe Against Cancer Programme of the European Commission, DG V SOC 96 200742 05F02
- Copyright (c) 1994-2003, Information Ventures, Inc.
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