Priorities for development of research methods in occupational cancer.
Occupational cancer research methods was identified in 1996 as 1 of 21 priority research areas in the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA). To implement NORA, teams of experts from various sectors were formed and given the charge to further define research needs and develop strategies to enhance or augment research in each priority area. This article is a product of that process. Focus on occupational cancer research methods is important both because occupational factors play a significant role in a number of cancers, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality, and also because occupational cohorts (because of higher exposure levels) often provide unique opportunities to evaluate health effects of environmental toxicants and understand the carcinogenic process in humans. Despite an explosion of new methods for cancer research in general, these have not been widely applied to occupational cancer research. In this article we identify needs and gaps in occupational cancer research methods in four broad areas: identification of occupational carcinogens, design of epidemiologic studies, risk assessment, and primary and secondary prevention. Progress in occupational cancer will require interdisciplinary research involving epidemiologists, industrial hygienists, toxicologists, and molecular biologists.
Ward
Elizabeth M
EM
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, USA.
Schulte
Paul A
PA
Bayard
Steve
S
Blair
Aaron
A
Brandt-Rauf
Paul
P
Butler
Mary Ann
MA
Dankovic
David
D
Hubbs
Ann F
AF
Jones
Carol
C
Karstadt
Myra
M
Kedderis
Gregory L
GL
Melnick
Ronald
R
Redlich
Carrie A
CA
Rothman
Nathaniel
N
Savage
Russell E
RE
Sprinker
Michael
M
Toraason
Mark
M
Weston
Ainsley
A
Olshan
Andrew F
AF
Stewart
Patricia
P
Zahm
Sheila Hoar
SH
D000818:Animals; D015197:Carcinogenicity Tests; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012106:Research; D012107:Research Design; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014489:United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration