Occupational, environmental, and life-style factors associated with the risk of hematolymphopoietic malignancies in women.
BACKGROUND
The etiology of lymphomas, leukemias, and multiple myeloma is still largely unknown. The known risk factors (ionizing radiation, solvent exposure, pesticide exposure, immunosuppression) explain only a small proportion of the cases that occur.


METHODS
We conducted a multicenter population-based case-control study on hematolymphopoietic malignancies in Italy and interviewed 2,011 women (1,183 cases and 828 controls).


RESULTS
There was a suggestion of a positive association between smoking and the risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma + chronic lymphocytic leukemia. A slight increased risk of leukemias was observed among women using permanent hair dye. Housewives were at increased risk for leukemia and multiple myeloma. The risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas + chronic lymphocytic leukemia, leukemias, multiple myeloma, and Hodgkin's disease increased among women employed as hairdressers and textile workers. Teachers were at increased risk for non-Hodgkin's lymphomas + chronic lymphocytic leukemia, leukemias, and Hodgkin's disease.


CONCLUSIONS
These results confirm previous associations and may provide additional clues to some determinants of hematolymphopoietic malignancies in women.
Miligi
L
L
Epidemiology Unit, Center for Study and Prevention of Cancer, Az. Ospedaliera Careggi, Florence, Italy. epid@ats.it
Seniori Costantini
A
A
Crosignani
P
P
Fontana
A
A
Masala
G
G
Nanni
O
O
Ramazzotti
V
V
Rodella
S
S
Stagnaro
E
E
Tumino
R
R
Viganò
C
C
Vindigni
C
C
Vineis
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004522:Educational Status; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006202:Hair Dyes / Q000009:adverse effects; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D007938:Leukemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D016387:Women's Health; D014931:Women, Working / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D006202:Hair Dyes