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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

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01-02-2017 | Original Article

Agricultural exposure and risk of bladder cancer in the AGRIculture and CANcer cohort

Authors: Mathilde Boulanger, Séverine Tual, Clémentine Lemarchand, Anne-Valérie Guizard, Michel Velten, Elisabeth Marcotullio, Isabelle Baldi, Bénédicte Clin, Pierre Lebailly

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 2/2017

Abstract

Purpose

Literature on agricultural activities and bladder cancer risk is scarce. However, farmers can be subjected to carcinogenic exposure (e.g. arsenic, previously used as a pesticide in France). This study aimed at assessing the role of a large range of agricultural activities and tasks on bladder cancer risk.

Methods

The study population was the AGRIculture and CANcer cohort, a large prospective cohort of individuals affiliated to the agricultural health insurance scheme (MSA) in France. Incident bladder cancers were identified by cancer registries from enrolment (2005–2007) to 2009. Data on agricultural exposure during professional lifetime (5 animals, 13 crops, specific tasks) were obtained from the enrolment questionnaire. Associations between bladder cancer and agricultural exposure were analysed using a Cox model, adjusted for gender and smoking history.

Results

Among the 148,051 farm owners and workers included in this analysis, 179 incident bladder cancers were identified. We observed an elevated risk among field-grown vegetable workers [HR 1.89, 95% CI (1.20–2.99)], with an exposure–response relationship with duration of work [≥30 years: HR 2.54, 95% CI (1.11–5.83), p-trend = 0.02], and higher risk among women [HR 3.82, 95% CI (1.58–9.25), p-interaction = 0.05]. Non-significantly increased risks were also observed in greenhouse farmers (HR = 1.95), pea sowing (HR = 1.84), rape sowing (HR = 1.64); several tasks involving pesticide use, especially seed treatment (HR = 1.24); and in activities and tasks potentially exposing to arsenic compounds via pesticide use (HR = 1.49) or re-entry tasks (HR = 1.63).

Conclusions

Our analyses raise the question of a possible link between agricultural activity, especially field-grown vegetables, and greenhouse cultivation and bladder cancer.

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Title: Agricultural exposure and risk of bladder cancer in the AGRIculture and CANcer cohort
Authors: Mathilde Boulanger
Séverine Tual
Clémentine Lemarchand
Anne-Valérie Guizard
Michel Velten
Elisabeth Marcotullio
Isabelle Baldi
Bénédicte Clin
Pierre Lebailly
Publication date: 01-02-2017
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 2/2017
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-016-1182-y

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Agricultural exposure and risk of bladder cancer in the AGRIculture and CANcer cohort

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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