Asbestos and lung cancer in Glasgow and the west of Scotland.
OBJECTIVE
To quantify the relation between lung cancer and exposure to asbestos in men in west Scotland and to estimate the proportion of lung cancer which may be attributed to exposure to asbestos.


METHODS
An ecological correlation study of the incidence of lung cancer in men and past asbestos exposure. The unit of analysis was the postcode sector. Correction was made for past cigarette smoking, air pollution, and deprivation.


METHODS
The region covered by the west of Scotland cancer registry, containing 2.72 million people and including Glasgow and the lower reaches of the River Clyde, where shipbuilding was once a major industry.


METHODS
All men diagnosed with lung cancer between 1975 and 1984 whose residence at the time of registration was within the west of Scotland.


METHODS
The population attributable risk for asbestos related lung cancer.


RESULTS
An estimated 5.7% (95% confidence interval 2.3 to 9.1%) of all lung cancers in men registered in the west of Scotland during the period 1975-84 were asbestos related, amounting to 1081 cases.


CONCLUSIONS
A considerable proportion of cases of lung cancer in men in Glasgow and the west of Scotland from 1975 to 1984 were asbestos related. Most of these may not have been considered for compensation by the Department of Social Security. Given the very small annual number of recorded cases of asbestosis this condition is probably not a prerequisite for the development of asbestos related lung cancer. A heightened awareness of the increasing incidence of asbestos related neoplasms and their more thorough investigation are recommended.
De Vos Irvine
H
H
West of Scotland Cancer Surveillance Unit, Greater Glasgow Health Board, Ruchill Hospital.
Lamont
D W
DW
Hole
D J
DJ
Gillis
C R
CR
D001194:Asbestos / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012307:Risk Factors; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology
D001194:Asbestos