Recent data on cancer due to asbestos in Germany.

The Authors evaluate the risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma among asbestos workers in Germany. 3,988 workers (3,372 male and 616 female) were included in the study, which took into consideration the branch of the asbestos industry in which they had worked, the duration of their employment and also their smoking habits. At the end of the 12 year follow-up, 3,315 workers were alive and 673 dead. The analysis of cause of death showed an increased risk of dying from lung cancer and pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma, in men as well as in women. The risk was shown to be greatest among workers in the asbestos textile industry and among insulators. A probable multiplicative effect of asbestos exposure and smoking on lung cancer causation was noted.

Mortality rates in a female cohort following asbestos exposure in Germany.

A cohort study was conducted of 616 German female workers with a history of exposure to asbestos. Standardized proportionate mortality analysis was done except for mesothelioma, for which proportionate mortality was computed based on best evident cause of death. Mortality from lung cancer was increased three times over expected value. Death rates due to mesothelioma were 340 times higher than in the general population. Female mortality rates surpassed those observed in men twofold for lung cancer and fourfold for mesothelioma. In comparison with published data from international cohort studies, the observed mortality for mesothelioma in our female cohort appeared higher than that previously reported. German women with a history of asbestos exposure are considered a high-risk group for developing mesothelioma and lung cancer. They should be a target group for intervention strategies (eg, chemoprevention, smoking cessation, early cancer detection).