Occupational risks for bladder cancer among men in Sweden.

With the use of the Swedish Cancer-Environment Registry, census data on employment in 1960 were linked with registry data on bladder cancer during 1961-79. This hypothesis-generating study revealed for the first time associations between bladder cancer and employment in pulp and fiberboard manufacturing, in rope and twine making, and work as a dental technician. Statistically significant increases in risk were also found for several occupations previously associated with bladder cancer, including barbers and beauticians, artistic painters, toolmakers and machinists, and physicians, and employment in butcher shops, industrial chemical making, apparel manufacturing, and plumbing. Etiologic inferences cannot be made from this investigation, but the findings from this large national resource provide further clues to the occupational determinants of bladder cancer.

Occupational risks for renal cancer in Sweden.

A systematic assessment was made of the occurrence of renal cancer among men by industrial and occupational classification using the Cancer-Environment Registry, which links cancer incidence (1961-79) and census data (1960) with industry and occupation for all employed individuals in Sweden. Data were analysed separately for cancers of the renal parenchyma and pelvis. Significantly increased risks for renal cell cancer were observed for several professional and white collar occupations, including physicians and others in the health care industry. By contrast, the risks for renal pelvis cancer tended to be higher among blue collar workers, especially in the machine industry. Deficits of both cancers occurred among farmers. The findings of the survey are considered as aetiological clues that may deserve further study, although some associations support observations in other countries.

Occupational risks for intracranial gliomas in Sweden.

With the use of the Cancer-Environment Registry, which links cancer incidence for the years 1961-79 with 1960 census information on occupation for all employed individuals in Sweden, a systematic population-based assessment according to employment classifications was made of the occurrence of intracranial gliomas. Statistically significant (P less than .05) increases in the incidence of intracranial gliomas were observed among several professional and white-collar occupations, possibly due in part to higher levels of diagnosis and reporting of this particular neoplasm. Significantly elevated rates were noted among male dentists, agricultural research workers, and public prosecutors and among female physicians and employees in the health care industry. For blue-collar workers, significant excesses were found among welders and metal cutters; glass, porcelain, or ceramic workers; cellulose plant employees; brick and tile workers; and women employed in the wool industry. Several findings of this survey may represent new clues to the etiology of intracranial gliomas, while other findings support observations reported in previous studies.

Registry-based analysis of occupational risks for primary liver cancer in Sweden.

A systematic evaluation was made of the occurrence of microscopically confirmed primary liver cancer (International Classification of Disease, 7th Rev., 155.0) among men by industrial and occupational classification using the Cancer-Environment Registry, which links cancer incidence (1961-1979) and census data (1960) on industry and occupation for all employed persons in Sweden. A number of blue collar jobs were found to be significantly associated with primary liver cancer, including men employed in breweries, slaughterhouses, grain mills, shoe fabrication, basic industrial chemicals, plumbing and pipefitting, and insulation work. Although brewery workers and several white collar and service employment categories had significantly increased risks, the influence of alcohol intake was suggested by a parallel mortality analysis showing that most categories had excesses of liver cirrhosis and alcoholism. While often consistent with previous studies, the findings of this registry-based survey should be considered primarily as hypothesis generating in nature.

Occupational risks for meningiomas of the CNS in Sweden.

Using the Cancer-Environment Registry of Sweden, which links cancer incidence (1961 to 1979) with census information (1960) for all employed individuals in Sweden, a systematic, population-based assessment was made of the occurrence of meningiomas of the CNS according to industrial and occupational classifications. Statistically significant standardized incidence ratios (SIR) between 5 and 6 for meningioma were observed among glass, porcelain, or ceramic workers of both sexes. SIRs of similar magnitude were also found for men employed in the headwear fabrication and book publishing industries. Significantly elevated two- to three-fold risks were observed for men employed in health care, railroad and trolley construction, sheet and plate metal fabrication, and as moving equipment operators. Some of the findings of this descriptive survey may have arisen as a result of multiple comparisons, but several are consistent with earlier observations for brain cancer from other countries and deserve further study.

Biliary tract cancer and occupation in Sweden.

Using the Cancer-Environment Registry, which links the incidence of cancer (1961-79) and the 1960 census data on industry and occupation for all employed individuals in Sweden, the occurrence of biliary tract cancer (ICD 7th rev 155.1-.9) was systematically assessed according to occupational and industrial classifications. Data are presented separately for cancer of the gall bladder (ICD 155.1) and other cancers of the biliary tract (ICD 155.2-.9) including cancers of the extrahepatic bile ducts, ampulla of Vater, and unspecified bile passages. Statistically significant increased risks for cancer of the gall bladder were observed for men employed in petroleum refining, papermills, chemical processing, shoemaking, and repairing, and for both men and women employed in textile work. A significant increase in the incidence of other cancers of the biliary tract (mostly cancers of the bile duct) was found for such asbestos related employment as shipbuilding and in the wholesale construction materials industry and among insulation workers. These findings should be considered only as clues to aetiological factors, although several are consistent with earlier observations from other countries.

Nasal cancer and occupation in Sweden, 1961-1979.

Using national population-based registries which link cancer incidence (1961-1979) with 1960 census data on industry and occupation for all employed individuals in Sweden, a systematic assessment was made of nasal cancer (ICD 7th Rev. 160) with special reference to occurrence in manufacturing industries and craftsman-tradesman occupations. Data are presented for three histologic categories: adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and other histologic types. The highest risks (18-fold) were observed for adenocarcinoma among men employed in furniture making. Elevated risks were also observed for textile workers of both sexes. The findings are generally consistent with previous reports from other countries and help clarify the role of occupation in the origins of nasal cancer.

Occupational risks for pleural mesothelioma in Sweden, 1961-79.

From national population-based registries linking cancer incidence from 1961 to 1979 with 1960 census data on industry and occupation for all employed individuals in Sweden, a systematic assessment was made of pleural mesothelioma occurrence according to occupational and industrial classifications. There were 318 cases of pleural mesothelioma recorded during the 19-year follow-up period among males employed in 1960, with significant variation by industrial and occupational categorizations. The observed number of pleural mesotheliomas for men employed in the sugar refining, cellulose, wood and pulp, shipbuilding, and railroad equipment manufacturing industries was more than three times the number expected. Occupations with at least twofold excess of mesotheliomas included the craftsman categories of plumbers, mechanics and repairmen, electricians, painters, tire makers, and stationary equipment operators. Our findings are consistent with available data relating mesothelioma to occupational asbestos exposure in other countries, although unexpected associations were found that deserve further epidemiologic study.